Hance Dilbeck, right, voices prayer for Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, center, and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and his wife Sarah, the First Lady of Oklahoma, shared that the idea for an Oklahoma Governor’s prayer breakfast came to them while they attended the National Prayer Breakfast when Stitt was campaigning for governor.
Stitt and others prayed about the idea from that time through Tuesday, Feb. 18, when more than 1,000 Oklahomans gathered at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum for the inaugural Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast event.
The event, which was facilitated and planned by the non-profit organization Oklahoma Capitol Culture and Joel Harder, brought together people from various denominations and faith groups.
U.S. Sen. James Lankford speaks at the inaugural Governor’s Prayer Breakfast.
Harder urged attendees to pray, quoting 1 Tim. 2:1-2: “I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
Times of prayer for elected officials were observed, including Oklahoma Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer Hance Dilbeck praying for Stitt and his administration, and Oklahoma Baptist University President Heath Thomas praying for Oklahomans impacted by the criminal justice system.
United States Sen. James Lankford, a member of Oklahoma City, Quail Springs, talked about the importance of prayer. Lankford introduced the keynote speaker, Chaplain Barry C. Black, a Naval officer who serves as chaplain to the United States Senate. Chaplain Black talked about “the power of unified, fervent prayer.”
Chaplain Barry C. Black, a Naval officer who serves as chaplain to the United States Senate, talked about “the power of unified, fervent prayer.”
Attendees joined in various times of prayer. The event concluded with Stitt unveiling the “Be A Neighbor Oklahoma” campaign, which seeks to mobilize non-profit and faith-based organizations to meet key needs in Oklahoma, such as foster care and prison recidivism. For more information, visit BeANeighbor.org.
The next Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast is set for Feb. 16, 2021.
