On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, Canadians from coast-to-coast-to coast joined Parliamentarians from all parties, diplomats and ambassadors at the Westin Hotel for the 45th Annual National Prayer Breakfast. David Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Natural Resources and for the Canadian Wheat Board, chaired the 7:30 AM event. Close to 800 people of different faiths and walks of life, from Canada and the international community, came together to celebrate faith and “The Pursuit of Excellence.”
 
Special music for the morning was provided by accomplished pianist and conductor Stephanie Chung and her talented daughter, violinist Hannah Chung. The duo was impressive with their obvious skill and passion for classical music.
 
“This year’s Prayer Breakfast once again exceeded expectations. Canadians came to Ottawa to be encouraged and to pray for their country. They were not disappointed. It was a great privilege to once again lead this national event,” said David Anderson.
 
Keynote Speakers, Olympic Gold-Medalist Cindy Klassen and her sister Lisa Klassen, a pilot and instructor, spoke passionately about the importance of hope and faith in their lives and the near fatal accident that saw Lisa submerged in the icy water of the Red River for five minutes in February 2008.
 
“It was an honour and a privilege for both Lisa and me to take part in the National Prayer Breakfast.  It is exciting to hear that the event has been growing every year, and we were grateful for the opportunity to share what Christ has done in our lives,” said Cindy.
 
The opening prayer was given by the Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Noel Kinsella, with the Prayer for Canada by the Rt. Honourable Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin; the closing prayer was given by Canadian Chief of Land Staff, Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie. Scriptures were read by the Hon. Stockwell Day, Hon. Jack Layton, Hon. John Mckay and Robert Bouchard MP. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Hon. Peter Milliken, followed with remarks of appreciation.
 
The event provided the opportunity for cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, and diplomats to interact freely with Canadians from all walks of life. The atmosphere was described as electric and many people commented on the positive environment that was created for people of all faiths to put aside religious and partisan differences to pray together.
 
At the dinner the previous evening, CFL star quarterback, Anthony Calvillo, shared his faith and the health of his wife Alexia who was diagnosed with Bell-C Lymphoma, a non-hodgkins cancer, in 2007. In addition, the National Student Forum brought young people from across the country to participate and hear from MPs and young professionals about how their faith impacts their lives. If you know a student that would like to participate in the National Student Forum next year, please direct them to:  www.canadastudentforums.com.
 
“Attending the National Prayer Breakfast opened my eyes to the work God is doing in our nation through His children. I was inspired by the overall optimism of our leaders, as well as the faith of each person I met. The National Student Forum showed me that politics is one avenue through which God can change the world, and letting God change us first matters the most.” Joyce Mak, National Student Forum participant.
 
Finally, MP David Anderson, who has been chairing the weekly and annual National Prayer Breakfast, was honoured for the four years that he has been organizing this event.  Each of these last years, the event has grown in numbers and influence.
 
Planning has already begun for next year’s events and information on the upcoming dates will soon be posted – please be sure to check back.
 
In order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to experience the next National Prayer Breakfast, we are asking that you forward us the names and addresses of individuals you believe would benefit from attending this unique event. Early next year, we will be sending invitations to previous attendees but would like to open the Prayer Breakfast events to others as well.  We can be contacted by e-mail at:  info@canadaprayerbreakfast.ca.