My good friend, the Honorable Allen Clark will be hosting a national security luncheon this week and I am flattered and honored that he has invited me as his guest to lead the invocation.
Having not done this before I am hoping our crew here can offer some pointers and advice.
I will not be offering a generic invocation and will reference Jesus Christ.
What are some things you recommend to do or specifically avoid?
Thank you,
I heard the best way to pray well in public is spend hours in private prayer.
Keep it short.
Be yourself.
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Invocations that work tend to bring something from the speaker as an offering for insight to the audience.
Since that is different for everyone, first set the parameters for success and then test your offering against it.
Here is a suggestion for the parameters of success that has worked for me:
-Storytelling is the most human form of communication- use it for delivery
-If you cannot deliver insight in five minutes, more time will not help
-A story that makes an audience member reconnect with their own path on the journey will have the most impact
-Allow yourself to project emotion, it is essential to build rapport.
I received parts of this from people I have met over the years. It may work in part for your task.
However you chose to accomplish it, I wish you good fortune.
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Brent, an invocation is just the prayer, right?
Is this the Allen Clark?
http://www.combatfaith.com/AllenClarkBio.html
Yes. That is my friend Allen.
Have you read any of his books?
That is a stunning bio of Allen Clark, what strength and faith. Congratulations, Brent, that’s indeed an honor for you to receive and I know you’ll set a gracious tone .
We’ll see. There is a long story about why he invited me to offer the invocation. It is an honor.