By Jacinda Howard, The Mirror

“I have a simple point — God is good,” Christian Faith Center pastor Casey Treat said at the city’s annual prayer breakfast.

About 140 people gathered Thursday at the Macy’s courtyard at The Commons mall to pray for the city, its businesses, residents, leaders, children and families. The prayer breakfast, organized by “Coach” Bob Roach, was the twelfth of its kind to take place in the city, Roach said.

When the breakfast began in 1996, Roach would gather community members three times a year to pray for Federal Way. As more people began to attend, there became a need to hold one large breakfast, he said. Over time, the prayer breakfast — Federal Way’s celebration of National Day of Prayer — has grown from just a few attendees to a room full of people who care about the city, Roach said.

This year’s breakfast was one of celebration and hope. Community leaders, such as mayor Jack Dovey, Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Pierson, police deputy chief Andy Hwang, school district superintendent Tom Murphy, city council member Linda Kochmar, South King Fire and Rescue Chaplain Mike Ballinger and Pastor Casey Treat shared tables with residents and representatives from local service organizations.

“We need to separate our differences and work together for the common good,” Pierson said.

He led the group in a prayer for Federal Way’s business sector. Pierson prayed to improve employee relations and work ethics.

“We need to install godly values in the workplace ethics in the village of Federal Way,” Pierson said.

Dr. Robert Snyder of Franciscan Health System led a prayer for the health of the Federal Way community and all those in attendance at the breakfast. He reminded the crowd to pray for strength and sound decision-making for those in the medical field.

“For it is by helping the helpless that we glorify God,” Snyder said.

Mike Ballinger, South King Fire and Rescue Chaplain, led a prayer for those leading the city’s churches and faith-based organizations. He noted groups that meet in large establishments as well as those that meet at a member’s home or rent out a small location for their services.

“We ask God to help us love Federal Way,” Ballinger said.

Dave Larson, Federal Way Municipal Court judge, led a prayer for the safety of the community. Tacoma resident Sharon Werner, a retired school teacher, joined Larson in his prayer and asked God to protect school children, she said.

“I especially prayed for the spirit of peace in our schools,” Werner said.

Debbie Kallio of Federal Way prayed for the court’s judges because “there are a lot of lost souls they have to deal with.” The judges have a hefty job of determining the future of some local residents, and Kallio said she prayed they would be able to serve justice as is fit.

A prayer for Federal Way’s youth and families was led by resident Stacy Keen, and the breakfast concluded with those in attendance joining hands to circle the courtyard as Christian Faith Center’s Passionate Praise music group played “Amazing Grace.”

Carol Rowe of Federal Way celebrated the breakfast by dancing and singing along with Passionate Praise as the group honored their savior through music. Rowe said she prayed the Lord would hear Federal Way’s prayers and heal those who needed healing.

“(I prayed) that we as a community would humble ourselves and come before the Lord,” she said.

Contact Jacinda Howard: jhoward@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.