Beth Chapman discusses giving thanks, prayer at Chamber breakfast

It is always important to remain thankful, and former Secretary of State of Alabama and Shelby County resident Beth Chapman said a recent trip to Cuba reminded her of that.

“You ask yourself, 'What are we thankful for?' I’m thankful for my family, I’m thankful for a God that serves me a lot more than I serve him. I am very thankful for my job and my family, and I’m very thankful for Shelby County,” Chapman said at the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce’s 19th annual Prayer Breakfast.

Chapman added that she is thankful for the government, something that she said surprises most people. When people ask her why, she said there are two reasons — we have a government, and anyone who chooses to participate can participate.

“People there cannot express what they believe,” Chapman said. “Whether you were for Trump, whether you were for Hillary, you could at least say what you thought. But in Cuba, there was no talking about their politics. They were very oppressed people.”

The breakfast took place on Nov. 22, a few days before Thanksgiving, and Chapman said that timing was ideal for the message she wanted to share.

“This is a time we should be humbly grateful, not grumbly hateful,” Chapman said. “So if you can say that three times fast, you’re good.”

She also thanked several community leaders at the breakfast, noting how individuals working on the Shelby County Commission or city government or in schools help make Shelby County Great. In addition to expressing her thanks, Chapman said she also felt inclined to discuss the topic the breakfast was centered on — prayer.

“I don’t always talk about my faith, per se, but when I’m given the opportunity, I’d be remiss not to,” Chapman said. “And I’ve got to tell you, when people say, ‘What is the secret to the success of your life?’ I’ve got to tell you prayer is my secret weapon.”

Throughout her life, Chapman said she has had many people leave her, but God has never left her side. The power of prayer is important in life, Chapman said, and she believes it has the power to change and improve lives and communities.

“I believe that if we all committed today to submit more of our lives to prayer, that our community would be a better place,” Chapman said.

For individuals who believe they are too old or too busy or too tired to be useful in God’s plan, Chapman noted several biblical individuals that God used for great things.

“Noah was a drunk. Rahab was a prostitute. Joseph was a slave. David was a liar and an adulterer. Thomas was a doubter. Judas and Peter were betrayers, and Mary was a worrier,” Chapman said. “And Lazarus? Well, he was dead. So if God and use Lazarus, I know God can use us.”

She shared the story of the 91st Brigade from World War II. The 91st brigade recited the 91st Psalm every day before entering battle, and although they were involved in three of the war’s bloodiest battles, no one in the 91st Brigade died from combat. They were protected, Chapman said, because of their prayer and their belief in that prayer.

“I am asking you today to pray for our nation, to pray for our county, to pray for our leaders, to pray for those in authority over us, and I cannot tell you how happy I am that it is Thanksgiving,” Chapman said. “I think I went to Cuba at the perfect time in my life because I can come home and see the little things that I’m grateful for. …I hope this season will give you much to be thankful for.”