Based on Psalm 28:7, the 2008 theme for the NDOP is “Prayer: America’s Strength and Shield.”


West Metro Prayer Breakfast
The first observance on May 1 will be the annual West Metro NDOP Breakfast taking place at the Medina Entertainment Center in Plymouth from 6 to 8 a.m. The program will include praise and worship music, a continental breakfast, presentations from speakers, and prayer from area pastors.

Lisa Berry, daytime host on 98.5 KTIS FM radio will serve as the emcee for the breakfast, and Paul Ridgeway Sr., president of Ridgeway International, will be the keynote speaker.

The breakfast event will also feature seven pastors praying for the seven “concerts of prayer” set by the NDOP Task Force and its Chairman, Shirley Dobson. Those seven points of prayer for America are: government, military, media, business, education, church and family.

“We want to encourage everyone to recognize that our nation needs prayer, not just the first Thursday of May, but every day,” said Helen Oslund, co-chair of the West Metro NDOP Prayer Breakfast. “Our country is going through tough times, and many are questioning the direction our leaders are taking. The only thing we as Christians can depend on is a God who loves us and wants the best for us. Only through prayer and trust in him can we find the answers to today’s tough questions.”

According to Dar Sjostrom, co-chair for the event, the West Metro gathering has grown by 50 to 75 attendees per year. Last year the event drew 423 paid attendees.

“We are expecting more people to come and pray, especially with the war, all the new issues our nation seems to be having, our future election, and more people wanting to get together and pray,” Sjostrom said. “I believe participating in the NDOP is important because our leaders are under tremendous pressure these days. They need our prayers, and they need to know that they are being supported in prayer. By taking the time to pray for our nation, we will be rewarded with personal spiritual growth.”


State Capitol observance
Another annual NDOP observance will take place at the State Capitol in St. Paul during the lunch hour on May 1. The NDOP Capitol event will kick off with a prelude of praise and worship music, led by Dan Adler of Heart of the City, at 11:30 p.m., followed by prayer for and by state leaders in many areas.

Some of the leaders expected to pray at the Capitol event include: Gov. Tim Pawlenty; former Minnesota Gov. Al Quie; Secretary of Sate Mark Ritchie; Cathy Jo Severson, of the Minnesota Christian Leaders Network; Scott Fischbach, executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life; John Helmberger, CEO of the Minnesota Family Council; and Pastor Bob Battle.

“This is a prayer event that is encouraged by our government, so to take advantage of their support is an opportunity I don’t think we should pass up,” said Chaplain Dan Hall, Capitol event coordinator and executive director of Midwest Chaplains. “We cry out to God for freedom to pray and share our faith, and here is a huge opportunity. If we don’t take advantage of this occasion, then I believe we are all talk and no action.”

Hall said participation in the NDOP observance can help local Christians see the importance of being “salt and light” to local communities.

“The Word says to go into all the world, which isn’t just praying at home, and then to stand firm in our faith. The world is watching us to see if we are real in God’s truth and love,” Hall said. “We can’t have one without the other.”

Hall views the 2008 theme “Prayer: America’s Strength and Shield” through the lens of an old hockey player.

“I would never go onto the ice without protection. It’s not only stupid, but it is an act of pride for me to think I don’t need protection,” Hall said. “We need our Lord every moment of our life. It is declaring where our strength and shield come from, and that’s an expression of knowing our weakness, knowing to stay humble in Christ, and walking with confidence in the only hope we have—Christ.”


35W bridge collapse prayer
On the evening of May 1, at 6 p.m., a special NDOP observance will take place on the Stone Arch Bridge, near the site of the 35W bridge collapse.

“Usually the NDOP centers on seven main areas of prayer, but this year we see the need to prayerfully support the families and friends who were so deeply affected by the 35W bridge collapse,” Hall said. “Besides the public, we are extending a special invitation to anyone who lost a loved one or was traumatically affected by the event.”

Event organizers are requesting that those affected personally by the collapse contact Midwest Chaplains by e-mail if they plan to attend the observance (office@midwestchaplains.org).

During the observance there will be a time for individuals and families to share what God has done to help them through the tragedy.

“We also want to use this event to thank the many volunteers and emergency service providers, so we are inviting those involved with the rescue and recovery,” Hall said. “We hope this will be a time to heal as we pray for all involved, as we pray for our state, and as we thank the heroes and care givers.”


ACTION POINT:
To learn more about any of the 2008 NDOP metro events, or to read about other events throughout the state, visit www.ndptf.org.