This morning was the 25th annual Alaska Governors Prayer Breakfast. Hundreds of Alaskans from all over the state gathered at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center with Governor Parnell and his wife Sandy to seek God’s guidance and protection for our state and our national and local leaders in prayer – a very noble and humble act. Somehow it has always seemed altogether American to me, here in this Land where we value “unalienable rights” “endowed” upon us by the “Creator,” for our leaders to join us in seeking guidance from the power that is higher than ourselves.

Prayer has always been recognized as such an important and valuable part of life for so many people. Some piously pray to be heard by other people, choosing grand words designed to impress those who are within ear shot. Now, please understand that I view prayer as a serious and solemn act but, nonetheless, it always makes me laugh to hear such grandiose prayers – could these folks seriously think that they are impressing God. I have always felt most moved by the simplest of prayers, those that are unmistakably sincere and from the heart.

Christ rebuked the example of the religious leader who loudly proclaimed his piety in public prayer, but praised the heart felt prayer of the tax collector who humbly declared his sin and begged forgiveness. Christ urged us to pray in secret, but at other times He prayed with others. I think the key is that prayer is not supposed to be about speaking to men, it's suposed to be about speaking to God – raising up petitions, from the trivial to the life changing, and then awaiting His answers – answers that sometimes are anything but clear.

Sometimes we are left to wonder whether the silence is an answer. Sometimes we are left asking "why?" Why did You let this happen? Why did this precious life have to be cut so short, when others so undeserving and evil live on? Prayer and faith go hand in hand.

Here are a collection of remarks about prayer that I found and enjoyed. I hope you enjoy them also –

"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God – it changes me.”
C.S. Lewis

“Prayer does not change God, but changes him who prays.”
Soren Kierkegaard

“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as if everything depended on you.”
Saint Augustine

“I have had prayers answered – most strangely so sometimes – but I think our heavenly Father’s loving-kindness has been even more evident in what He has refused me.”
Lewis Carroll

“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
Phillips Brooks

“Prayer has comforted us in sorrow, and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead.”
President George W. Bush

“Work as if you were to live a hundred years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow.”
Benjamin Franklin

Prayer is an attitude, an awareness that there is more than this world, that God has been, and is, and will be. Charles Swindoll talks of attitude like this –

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Prayer is an attitude that says “this world and all that is in it, my life and the lives of those I love – or those I feel challenged to love – are God’s.” It is one of the humblest acts that a man can make, and yet at the same time one that can bring a man the greatest respect.

God bless America and our much loved State of Alaska. God bless you and yours.