Very powerful… I could sense God’s presence… Something incredible happened… I was surprised...

These are among the many comments made by participants of the Latvian National Prayer Breakfast held in Riga on Friday, September 8, 2006. It was an extraordinary time for the 157 people who attended, including many members of Parliament, ministers of the government, educators, business professionals, artists, poets, bishops, and pastors. And yet the atmosphere reflected that people left their status at the door.

We will not soon forget the surprising way God met each of us in a unique way. 

The music was from the heart. Ieva Akuratere sang “God Help Latvia”, a song that brought us back to the Freedom Movement of the late 80’s and early 90’s when Latvians were demonstrating, praying, and singing for independence from the Soviet Union. This song was a clarion call of hope then. When it was sung on Friday, it touched a tender nerve; and God used it to open virtually every heart.

The testimonies were from the heart. The Speaker of the Parliament, Ingrida Udre, immediately followed the song. She was deeply touched by this prayerful song and spoke about the necessity for God bless the nation. Apart from prayer we cannot receive his blessing. She repeatedly said, “prayer is power.”

Representing Latvia’s Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Artis Pabiks read an excerpt of the ten commandments. He stressed that to honor our parents means that we must go back to the values that our parents held and build on those values. 

Former President Guntis Ulmanis read from both the Old and New Testaments and then opened his own heart. He surprised the room with his evident sense of reverence for the Bible, and his regard for the importance of the Prayer Breakfast event. He emphasized it is not important to God that we are here for breakfast or even that the election is coming in October; what is important is our attitude and faith in God. He then told a little about his own spiritual journey. When he was finished, the hushed crowd broke into an extraordinarily warm applause.

Another testimony came from a profound living example of one whose life has been dramatically changed by God. Arnis Irbe, who has a social and spiritual ministry to drug addicts, alcoholics, and street people, told his story. He had served 19 years in prison for multiple crimes, but when someone preached the Gospel in the prison, he gave his life to the Lord. His life and work have been so transformed that last year he was given the “Latvian Pride” award, presented to those considered to be heroes. He didn’t speak like a hero, but like a joyful man of God who believes with all of his heart that God can change any heart.

Prayers during the event for the nation, her leaders, and the world's situations deeply reflected the heart-felt desires of the vast majority of those present. Those leading in prayer included Almers Ludviks, Riga’s Vice Mayor; Lutheran Archbishop, Janis Vanags; Members of Parliament, Inese Slesere and Paulis Klavins; and Baptist Bishop Peteris Sprogis. These prayers reflected that there was a rare sense of unity as we focused on things that we all need and want...a significant and living relationship with God and a Latvia that genuinely continues to ask God for His help.

As Gatis Lidums, the emcee said, “When man works, man works; when man prays, God works.” There was no shortage of supporting prayer for the Prayer Breakfast. Besides the hundreds who were praying from around the world, there was a group of devoted prayer warriors meeting and praying in an auxiliary room before and during the event. 

We prayed that the politicians would not promote their parties or use the event for political gain. We prayed that each participant would speak from the heart. We prayed that the traditional formality that surrounds such gatherings would be minimized and that God would saturate the place with his sacred presence. Each prayer was answered in full measure. 

No better benediction could be delivered than that given by Cardinal Janis Pujats, who closed by quoting Mother Teresa:

They may see the good that you do as self-serving.

Continue to do good.

They may see your generosity as grandstanding.

Continue to be generous.

They may see your warm and caring nature as a weakness.

Continue to be warm and caring.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It never was between you and them anyway.

Rev. Charles Kelley, a Latvian-American, is President of Bridge Builders International and Director of “Nodibinajum Partneri”. He served as a consultant to the Latvian National Prayer Breakfast Committee.