By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Legislators, pastors, businessmen and others started off the second day of the 2022 state legislative session with a focus on God during the Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast.
Keynote speaker Voddie Baucham, a possible nominee for 2022 Southern Baptist Convention president, and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards were among those who urged a crowd of more than 1,000 to find joy in what has been a trying time for the state.
The event, March 15, at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge, also featured American Idol winner Laine Hardy(member, Bethel Baptist Church, Livingston), who provided special music, legislators such as Rep. Gabe Firment (member, First Baptist Church, Pollock) who read Scripture, and Louisiana Baptist leaders like Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana Christian University, who was part of a multi-person video collaboration in leading the audience in the Model Prayer to close the event.
Baucham reminded those at the prayer breakfast to rejoice in difficult circumstances.
“God is sovereign, and in His providence, He is working all things together for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose,” said Baucham, who is on mission from Grace Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, serving as dean of theology at African Christian University in Zambia. “Even things that in themselves are not good, God works together for good.”
Citing Exodus 2:23-24, Baucham said the Israelites cried out to God to deliver them from bondage and slavery, not understanding God had a plan to answer their prayers, but in His timing.
“The fact that you didn’t receive what it was that you were asking for is not an indication that God didn’t hear you,” he said. “He is God, and nothing escapes His view.
Keynote speaker Voddie Baucham urged a crowd of more than 1,000 to fin joy in what has been a trying time for the state. Brian Blackwell photo
“One of the things that makes it difficult for us to rejoice is that we think it’s only ‘enough’ if we get what we’re asking for,” he continued. “If you never get another thing that you ask for, having the Creator of the universe hear you when you pray is ‘enough’!”
Baucham reminded the crowd that God hears their groaning, remembers the covenant with His people, sees what they experience and knows everything.
“God neither slumbers, nor sleeps,” he said. “There is nothing at all that happens that He does not control.”
In his remarks, Gov. John Bel Edwards said finding joy is necessary even though it can be difficult to experience, especially during a pandemic and hurricane.
“We do it because it is the right thing do, because there are always things to be thankful for,” he said. “There are always people that we can pray for and should pray for.”
Jay Johnston, a member of Red Bluff Baptist Church, Folsom, introduced Baucham. He told the Baptist Message he was thankful for the opportunity to gather with others in the state to pray.
“The Scripture readings of elected officials, focusing on the beatitudes, combined with the corporate opportunities to pray for our elected officials and the people of Louisiana encouraged me,” Johnston said. “The closing with everyone in attendance saying together the Model Prayer offered a sign of hope, unity and encouragement coming out of the pandemic.
“Dr. Voddie Baucham was on point with his message that ‘God is God,’” he continued. “Likewise, Psalm 118:24 as the overall theme for breakfast seemed to resonate with attendees.”
The Governor’s Prayer Breakfast takes place annually during the first few days of the Louisiana Legislative session. According to the Prayer Breakfast website, the event’s purpose is to “seek God’s guidance for all leaders and citizens of our State, and to strengthen ourselves for the journey as we try to live as a responsible community of faith. It is an interdenominational event centered on the person of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world and is intended to promote his glory.”
