Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

As the kickoff to America's Freedom Festival here in Utah County, they have the annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast and this year I was invited. Frankly, I was invited because of Dean, but I was happy to be able to go. The keynote speaker was Judge Thomas Griffith and I really enjoy being able to hear him speak. Judge Griffith told us of when he was called to the Stake Presidency for a stake at BYU. While in that position, there were a ton of students that came to his office looking for direction in their lives and seeking guidance on what they are to do with their lives. He shared with us some great insight he gave these young people. He challenged them to stop praying for themselves for a week...stop praying for strength or which job to take or which major to choose, but rather for a week to pray and be thankful for the blessings they have and ask God to direct them to somebody they could help. And he told them if they prayed that prayer, God would give them a name or a face or put somebody in their lives they could help. Judge Griffith then challenged us in the room to pray that prayer as well and find out who we could help that week.

I liked that challenge. All too often folk come to church looking for their needs. I know that a lot of the time people turn to church when they are at the end of their rope, when there is nothing else, and it is my fervent prayer they find a church that can help them whether that is RCC or another church, I pray that somebody can catch them and help them along. After the crisis is over, though, that is the time to get to work. To look for the opportunity to help others. That is what being a follower of Jesus is all about. Looking for the opportunity to serve then helping out. Judge Griffith did an excellent job of articulating that this morning.

I'd be remiss to not have a shout to the Utah Valley Mass Choir as well. WOW! They did a fantastic job singing at the breakfast and even had the whole room clapping! It was a lot of fun.