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| President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast |
It is hard to put in words the journey I have been on over the past few days. So I will try to keep this concise and to the point.
The National Prayer Breakfast is an expression of Christ's love.
I saw it; I heard it and I felt it.
Now I am changed.
Not in an airy fairy meaning of the term changed but literally changed.
My thoughts were challenged my heart overwhelmed and my spirit refreshed.
It was only two months ago that Buddy Favour, a stranger at the time, contacted me out of the blue and invited me to the breakfast. As an Australian surfer, I felt a little surprised that I would be invited to something with such an important status. However, as God brought me and Buddy closer over the few days we spent together in Hawaii I felt that the breakfast could be a worthwhile experience.
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| L to R: Rainer, Buddy & Abe at the National Prayer Breakast |
I came with no expectation; I was oblivious to the world I was stepping into. The amphitheatre of politicians, businessmen and diplomats was far from the bare footed and sandy haired surf scene I am accustomed to. I felt like a sponge ready to soak up whatever was thrown at me. I found myself quickly overwhelmed with the love of Jesus and my sponge was soaked and overflowing.
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| Jose Enriquez a Chilean Miner |
I listened intently as the Chilean miner, Jose’ Enriquez explained his tribulation as he spent weeks on end trapped under the earth. His only comfort was sharing God with his work mates as he created a fellowship hundreds of meters under rock and dirt. Moving is the only way to describe Randall Wallace’s (writer and producer of, 'BraveHeart') speech, I was compelled and challenged by his hard hitting words and sharp wit. The President revealed a little of himself that few have seen before in the public eye. It was amazing to see the reaction of my American mates I was staying with. Shocked is a word that comes to mind. They spoke of how impressed they were of Obama’s honesty and transparency during his speech. Paul Young (Author of, 'The Shack') was gut wrenching, he made me squirm in my seat in such a way that I felt as though every aspect of my mindset was been challenged. He delivered a true message of Christ and what it means to count the cost. It was awesome!
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| Randall Wallace writer of Braveheart, Pearl Harbour & We Were Soliders |
However, the most inspirational of all was Doug Coe (founder of the Prayer Breakfast). He spoke little and listened much. He asked simple questions which provoked the biggest reaction in me. I was brought to tears when sharing of the love, care and encouragement that he and his family evoke.
The finishing touch was all the people that make it happen and take part in it. I look forward to building the new relationships I formed and bringing some of the prayer breakfast back to Australia. The one thing the prayer breakfast communicates is Jesus and his love. It resonates in my being and I bare witness of it in boldness and truth via this experience.
I feel I was given insight and opened to a world of Christ I have not witnessed before. I feel humbled.
President Brack Obama's Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.