Covenant News

Racing Provides Perfect Prayer Venue for Claus

HUMBOLDT, CA (November 22, 2001) - Eleanor Claus, who served on the Executive Board of the Evangelical Covenant Church for many years, found a unique way to extend her prayer life recently - and win a race in Northern California to boot.

Claus, who was born in nearby Eureka, ran the recent Humboldt Redwoods Marathon and finished first in her age group (65-67-year-old women) with a time of 4 hours, 27 minutes for 26.2 miles. She is a member of First Covenant Church in Anchorage, Alaska.

"It was so awesome to run among the 'giants' of God's creation, to look up from mile to mile worshipping and praising my Lord and Savior who loves me and has blessed me so very greatly," she said after the race. "He allowed me to continue running and use the 4:27 to communicate with Him and pray for those He brought to mind."

Claus found a great way to get the most out of every mile while winning her division. "As is my practice while running the 26 miles, I use each mile to pray for those whose names begin with the letters of our alphabet. For example, at mile 16 those whose names begin with "P" were remembered (Palmberg, Peterson, Pearson, etc.) During my run, I sensed God's presence in a way that words cannot express. He reminded me of the 'spiritual giants' that have so influenced my life."

While running, Claus was especially mindful of her father, Paul T. Nelson, a Covenant pastor from 1931-1996. He would have celebrated the 70th Anniversary of his North Park Theological Seminary class. All but one of Nelson's seven classmates - the exception being Walter W. Johnson of Florida (now 100 yrs old) - are celebrating in Heaven, she observed.

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