Nearly 700 people gathered in Allen Arena for the 37th annual Tennessee Prayer Breakfast Thursday morning.
Gov. Bill Haslam spoke at the event, which was his first appearance at Lipscomb as governor. The president of World Vision, Richard Stearn, was the keynote speaker. Melinda Doolittle, a Christian recording artist and former American Idol contestant, performed, as did the Nashville Choir.
“We hope this event will motivate us to pray,” said Joey Ivey, chair of the Citizens’ Committee.
The committee plans everything prior to and during the breakfast. It is made up of 41 men and women—pastors, business professionals, community members and political leaders.
According to the Tennessee Prayer Breakfast’s website, the purpose of the breakfast is “to seek the blessing of Almighty God for our governor, general assembly, the judiciary and others in positions of leadership throughout the State of Tennessee.”
The Soul Choir opened the event by singing a song saying, “Lord, we need you to show up.”
Ivey then welcomed the attendees, recognized the sponsors and said the opening prayer. The first few minutes of the meal were filled with musical performances by Dan Oxley and the Nashville Choir.
Beth Harwell, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, read from Philippians 2.
Chaplain (Major) Thomas J. Faichney prayed for government leaders, drawing attention to the government’s role to humbly execute justice under God’s authority, rather than as a substitute for God.
He asked for “grace, teachability, selflessness, joy, peace and love” on behalf of federal and state leaders.
David Perry prayed on behalf of families, asking for “a spirit of reconciliation.” He prayed that family members would seek to understand before being understood and that parents would communicate well with their children and live as examples of Christian values.
Ray Bowman, pastor of Spruce Street Baptist Church, prayed for spiritual vibrancy, mentioning that people need love in times of hate and kindness in times of tension.
Gov. Haslam took the stage briefly. Before introducing Stearn, he thanked all of the people who daily tell him that they pray for him and his family.
“It is incredibly encouraging to be your governor and to be prayed for,” Haslam said. “I want you to know how grateful Chrissy and I are that you pray for us regularly.”
Haslam then explained that he formerly served on the board of World Vision and has traveled internationally with Stearn. He spoke highly of Stearn’s character and of his organization.
“After eleven years of working with World Vision, I am more impressed every time I’m exposed,” Haslam said.
Stearn’s speech focused on this question: Do you believe you can change the world?
He mentioned the difficult times Americans are currently facing but also reminded attendees of the 50 million orphans in Africa and the 24,000 children who die every day of preventable causes.
“It may not be our fault,” Stearn said. “But I do believe it’s our responsibility to do something about these things. It’s our responsibility to change the world.”
He told stories of “defining moments” that he and others have experienced and asked the audience if they, likewise, would be “open to God’s will” in their lives.
“I know that real change only comes when people are willing to be courageous,” Stearn said. “Changing the world comes with a cost.
“I’ve seen the amazing power of ordinary people—ordinary people who were willing to be used by God. It’s up to you.”
Photo Credit: Whitney Jarreld
Amazing – there is absolutely no evidence for a god or evidence that prayer works (and the STEP trials showed it may be actual be harmful if you know you’re being prayed for), yet these so-called “leaders” appeal to an imaginary friend for help – adults living and perpetuating fairy tales, superstition, and magical beliefs. It’s really quite sad, and it’s a testimony to the intellectual immaturity of America and many of our so-called “leaders.”
I am a veteran, and I firmly believe in our Constitution and the founding fathers’ ideals of freedom (and the most influential ones were mainly deists- they did not believe in anything like mainstream American Christianity, contrary to religious propaganda in America today). With that said, I am not proposing the abolishment of prayer or religion (although I think they should be acknowledged for what they really are, oppressive/suppressive myths and fairy tales) and I would never think of infringing on private citizens’ rights to have a prayer breakfast on their own time and money. But I certainly hope my/our taxpayer money didn’t support this event. That would certainly be unconstitutional and violate the true meaning behind the Establishment Clause- NO government endorsement of religion, period. “No” means “no.” (and what part of NO don’t you understand?)
Our country needs intelligence, knowledge, and action – things that actually do solve problems- not religion or prayer – things that actually have never solved (yet typically haved caused and continue to cause) problems. I hope (not pray) that our leaders may actually be intelligent and capable – but my fear is they are simply puppets for a Christian majority who are incapable of even understanding, much less solving, the serious problems facing this state, country, and world.