Second Lancaster breakfast held

Tim Farrell, one of the leaders of the Lancaster Prayer Breakfast, which was held for the second year on Nov. 3, said that when the committee organized under the Leaders of Faith Foundation, the goal was to make the event unique, with prayer as the key component. The group decided to focus on six areas - business, government, art/media, education, family, and church - and ask a community leader to lead prayer on each of those segments. Each speaker asked table groups to pray on a subject and then concluded by leading the gathering of more than 400 in prayer.

Master of ceremonies Tracey C. Jones, president of Tremendous Leadership and T3 Solutions, opened the event, saying, "The Lancaster Prayer Breakfast endeavors to further the rich heritage and spiritual guidance handed down by the Founding Fathers ... and magnify Jesus Christ through unified prayers." Worship music was provided by Dave Ross, pastor of worship ministries at Calvary Church, who read from Philippians 2 and led three songs.

Don Hoover, retired CEO and current facilitator of Business Community Network, prayed for the business community, noting that Jesus said, "I must be about My Father's business." "It's crucial for us to understand God's purpose and will for us as individuals," he said.

Sen. Ryan Aument asked attendees to join him in lifting up the government - elected and appointed officials, first responders, and the military. "Pray for vision, courage, perseverance, and strength to serve in love and lift up their families and to preserve their marriages," said Aument.

Doug Myer of WDAC prayed for art and media, quoting Franklin Roosevelt's address to Congress that concluded with the Four Freedoms Speech. Myers focused on the freedoms of speech and expression of every person to worship in his own way. "God help us think clearly, act rightly, and do so in a spirit of love," he prayed.

Beth Haldeman, assistant to the superintendent of the Cocalico School District, prayed for education, with special attention to families, atmosphere, students, teachers, and staff. She specifically prayed for schools of all types to be "places of enrichment and nourishment."

Walt Mueller, president of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, spoke about sin, brokenness, and the need for a redeemer and new life, and he pointed out current cultural issues facing families. "We are here by God's design in this moment," he said. "We pray that You would fill all families with a hunger to live Your will ... to understand our responsibilities before You. May we seek to live out Your kingdom way in our families to Your glory," he said.

Kevin Eshleman, lead pastor of Ephrata Community Church, spoke about Jesus' prayer in John 17. "Jesus prays for Himself and the purposes of God, then for the disciples and then for us all those who would be His followers," Eshleman said. Eshleman focused on unity among the churches in Lancaster County. "I want to pray with thanksgiving because God has been doing a work among us, bringing (area) congregations of different expressions (of faith) together under the banner of the Lord Jesus Christ," he said.

The prayer breakfast is scheduled to be held on the first Friday of November each year. More information may be found at https://leadersoffaith.org/event/2023-lancaster-prayer-breakfast.