Mayors to gather for prayer breakfast

Elected officials understand the importance of having people regularly pray for them. They know that prayer is essential for effective service to the public.

President John Adams, before he joined his wife, Abigail, at their new official residence in Washington, D.C., sent her a prayer, which more than 100 years later President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered inscribed over the fireplace in the state dining room: "I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof."

This Saturday, April 27, the public is invited to the 2002 Mayor's Prayer Breakfast at Evangelo's Restaurant, at 8:30 a.m.

The prayer breakfast is hosted by the Valley Pastor's Prayer Network and has been an annual tradition in our Valley since 1996.

Each of the Valley mayors in attendance -- Mayor Sarah Palin, Wasilla; Mayor Jim Cooper, Palmer; Mayor Dale Adams, Houston; and Borough Mayor Tim Anderson will be prayed for during the breakfast by their pastor.

This year's guest speaker will be U.S Sen. Frank Murkowski.

The prayer breakfast will include the singing of the national hymn "America the Beautiful" and will conclude with all participating in singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

One of the highlights of this year's breakfast will be the "Prayer for Our Nation." In this time of national challenge, all will be invited to pray for our Valley and the nation with an adaptation of a prayer penned by Llyod Ogilvie, chaplain of the U.S. Senate.

Ogilvie's prayer is scheduled to be prayed on the Senate Floor in the Capitol for the National Day of Prayer, which is May 2.

"Gracious God, all that we have and are is a result of Your amazing generosity. September 11th has reminded us again that You truly are our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. We rededicate ourselves to be one nation under You. In You, we trust. We reaffirm our accountability to You, the absolutes of Your commandments and to justice in our society. Bless our president, Congress, state and local governments and all our leaders with supernatural power. We commit ourselves to be faithful to You as Sovereign of our land and personal Lord. Amen."

Plan to join us for this important day. Tickets for the breakfast may be purchased for $15 at Shalom Christian Bookstore in Wasilla, or New Song Christian Bookstore in Palmer.

Tickets will also be available at the door if seating is still available the day of the event.

David Dahms is the pastor at Mat-Su Covenant Church.