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National Prayer Luncheon promotes the importance of group prayer

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ashley Manz
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

The F. E. Warren AFB community gathered March 1, 2019 at the Trail’s End Event Center for a National Prayer Luncheon, where they heard about the importance of prayer in the life of an organization from Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) Ron Harvell, Air Force deputy chief of chaplains.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation.

Harvell was the guest speaker at the luncheon and shared a story about his time in Bagram, Afghanistan.

“I was standing there on the tower visiting with two young service members standing watch,” he said. As we stood there, they pointed out enemy positions to the left and right of us,” said Harvell. “I asked if they were worried about a possible attack that night.”

One of them answered, “Sir, we hope there’s not an attack tonight, but if there is, we’ll do our duty.” They bowed their heads and prayed together that night.

After some time passed, Harvell began to think about the service members on the wall.

“Isaiah 62:67 says this, ‘I have posted watchmen on your walls for Jerusalem. They will never be silent, day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest,’” said Harvell. “Are you willing to be on the wall and pray as a sentry for your loved ones, family and country?”

The general asked if there were people at the luncheon who were not established in the Lord and challenged them to bring prayer into their lives and organizations.

“As a leader, are you praying for your spirit and purpose with desperate intensity?” Harvell asked. “Are you praying for the success of those you work for and of those who work for you?”

Harvell concluded by stating that people who practice their faith with others are six times less likely to commit suicide. “The cure to our problems can be found in practicing faith with one another.”