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“Under God's Word...
In God's Will...
With God's Blessing” 


by Chuck Kelley

 

“Under God's Word...In God's Will...With God's Blessing”
This is how former President Guntis Ulmanis described the Latvian National Prayer Breakfast which took place November 9, 2007. Upon leaving the event Ulmanis was interviewed by TV 3 which, ironically, had tried their best to spin the Prayer Breakfast as secretive, divisive and political. Yet each interview clip they aired proved the opposite. It was open, unifying and anything but political.

 As 220 crème de la crème of Latvian society filed out of the Radisson ballroom in Riga, their hearts and minds were overflowing with encouragement, hope, and peace; something which is seldom characteristic of recent public gatherings.

 The Latvian National Prayer Breakfast movement represents something very positive. More than forty nations worldwide have similar movements, including Lithuania and Estonia. It is a non-political, interdenominational gathering that invites people together in the name of Jesus to pray, encourage one another and contemplate values which are rooted in Scripture and have shaped the foundation of western civilization. The Latvian event does not look or feel like events in other lands. It was Latvian from beginning 'til end, with exclusively Latvian participants, language, music, poetry, art, speakers and those who led in prayer.

 The theme of the event was Instrument of Peace and it was structured around the magnificent Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Roman Catholic Cardinal Janis Pujats rose and gave us a glimpse into the life of Francis, a 12th century monk who was not only famous for this prayer, but for his sacrifice, tolerance and respect for all of God's creation. Throughout the morning the ideas of "from darkness into light," "from despair to hope" and from "hatred to love" were skillfully woven into the fabric of the breakfast.

 The attitude was genuine. When Inese Slesere, the Executive Committee chairman, spoke about the background of the Prayer Breakfast movement she made sure to emphasize that, "We need God's guidance every day individually and also during times of national crisis. Our wisdom is not enough. We need God's strength."

 Then the former Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks read Scripture. This was especially interesting because of his recent decisions to both resign from the Cabinet of Ministers and from his political party. His reading included portions from Psalms 33 ("Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord"), Romans 12 ("Be of the same mind toward one another"). He then emphasized the foundational importance of asking each day, "Do we understand each other?"

 The tone of the morning was serious. This was reinforced when Mr. Ulmanis began by saying, "You may wonder why the look on my face is sad. It is because I am sad over the current situation that our government faces." He developed this idea and then boldly prayed for Latvia's leaders, emphasizing that "who a leader is" is more important than "what he does."

 But the tone of the morning transformed in front of our eyes. By the time the gathering was over people had lingered for long period of time and they left most encouraged.

 This encouragement was evident by the evaluation cards which were completed by most who participated. What came out was surprising. Of the 220 who attended, 20 would like to have a personal meeting with a pastor or committee leaders; 48 would like to receive a copy of the "JESUS" film, and 56 would like to be in an ongoing prayer group with other leaders.

 This is the sort of fruit that we have have been hoping and praying for.

 


Letter to the Prayer Breakfast from President Valdis Zatlers


The President of Latvia

Dedication for the Latvian Prayer Breakfast

Honorable participants of the Prayer Breakfast!

 This is a time for contemplation and change for each of us. It is a time that urges us to stop and evaluate ourselves, and return to the foundational values of our lives, if we discover that they have been lost. Now is the time for us to understand what kind of society we are becoming. But in the human process of seeking we are not protected against getting lost between imaginary and real values.

 The President of the State is not only responsible for his own life and ideals. With this honorable position comes responsibility for one's country and people. I have accepted this responsibility not only before people but also before God. The foundation of the State is its people, since the highest value of a nation is the man (person). And the man is the highest value for God. God has given His only Son for salvation for this value - the man. It is so easy today to polish or increase one's value with a few temporal things, decisions or skills. But these will only be imaginary values. One can only understand one's real value in his relationship with God.

 I view this Prayer Breakfast as a spring, a spring that cleanses, gives strength and new refreshment to each of us. At this breakfast I pray for strength for my nation to seek and find itself. May man, who is of the highest value for God's nation, be conscious of his value for his country - Latvia.

 You will remain if you will repent!

Truly respectfully -

Valdis Zatlers

Riga, 9th November, 2007

 

The Media and the Prayer Breakfast

 Two days before the event, following widespread public discontent toward the Parliament and Government, the Prime Minister announced his resignation. It will take effect on December 5th, when a new Government will be installed.

 In recent weeks frustration and distrust have intensified and these attitudes have been encouraged by a media more interested in selling papers with sensational headlines and cynical articles than writing truth.

 The absence of President Valdis Zatlers at the Prayer Breakfast brought with it an interesting surprise. We were disappointed that the media would play such a strong role in determining whether or not a president should attend a spiritual gathering.

 But he did write a letter of greeting that was read at the gathering. It was not only positive in its tone but the content was surprising in its depth. Zatlers wrote that "one can only understand his real value in relationship with God." He then ended his prayer with a Latvian play-on-words that stressed the relationship between repentance and survival.

 Interestingly, had the President attended, the participants and organizers would have been very pleased. But it's likely that the content of his greetings would not have been shared widely. But the fact that he wrote and signed such a letter, really an historical document, opened the door for widespread circulation of this testimony of faith.

 On Friday afternoon the letter was scanned and forwarded to various news agencies. By Saturday it had been read in its entirety on radio, and fully published by a leading newspaper.

 The media won a battle in pressuring the President to not attend. But the Gospel won a much larger battle in that it was presented by the President in such a clear and compelling way, not only to 220 people but to many thousands. Only God could create such a plan.


The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 

Key Participants in the Prayer Breakfast

Inese Slesere, former Member of Parliament, served as the chairman of the Prayer Breakfast Committee.

Cardinal Janis Pujats described the life of St. Francis of Assisi and read the famous prayer, which served as the framework for the event.

Former Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks read from the Psalms, Romans and Gospel of Luke. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."

Former President Guntis Ulmanis led in public prayer for the leaders of the nation.

William Shultz, Director of Mission Pakapieni, showed numerous pictures of orphans and poor families from all over Latvia. Then he showed how people and churches have helped with wonderful results.

TV journalist Sandijs Semjonovs and Chief Army Chaplain Elmars Plavins shared about their multiple visits to Iraq to visit Latvian troops. Sandijs was so taken with Elmars' spiritual work among the soldiers that he created a special documentary.

General Juris Vectirans, a tall and impressive presence, began his prayer with a bold "Praise the Name of Jesus." He then offered a passionate prayer for Latvia's officers and soldiers.

Famous pop singer Igo (Rodrigo Fomins) sang a well-known song that deals with ultimate questions and then shared a heartwarming testimony.

National poet Janis Rokpelnis recited two poems, including one that he wrote based on the message of St. Francis' prayer. He was simply stirring.

Interestingly, there were two journalists who shared testimonies and public prayers. This journalist, Aidis Tomsons, prayed for another segment of influential people in Latvia, artists, musicians, poets and actors.

Dr. Olafs Bruvers, President of Latvia's Red Cross, prayed for the many organizations in Latvia who provide social care for those who are the most needy.

Lutheran Archbishop Janis Vanags led all in a session of quiet prayer prompting each to pray about matters of personal injury, pardon, hatred, love, darkness, light, despair and hope.

Russian Orthodox priest Alexanders Nagla led as all prayed The Lord's Prayer.

Baptist Bishop Peteris Sprogis led in a final blessing. People left encouraged and refreshed.

 

The Latvian National Prayer Breakfast Executive Committee

The Prayer Breakfast movement is led by a group of leaders from several ministries and churches in Latvia. They are:

• Inese Slesere - Chairman, former Member of Parliament
• Estere Roze - Project Director, BBI/Partners
• Inta Feldmane - Member of Parliament
• Pavils Bruvers - Lutheran bishop
• Vadim Kovalev – President, Latvian Evangelical Alliance
• Martins Irbe - Lutheran Pastor
• Gunta Irbe - Latvian Evangelical Alliance Prayer Working Group Leader
• Andris Kravalis - Catholic priest
• Elaine Lloyd - Agape Latvia (Campus Crusade for Christ)
• Dennis Sink - Agape Latvia (Campus Crusade for Christ)
• Chuck Kelley - BBI/Partners

Signe Kurga and Vineta Zale, also from BBI/Partners, served in multiple capacities alongside the committee.


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