Military Prayer Luncheons Continue

Despite opposition from religious freedom critic Michael Weinstein, the US military continues to host prayer events for its willing troops around the world.  A small sampling of some interesting articles from military sources:

The National Prayer Breakfast at Fort Bragg — also the location of the upcoming atheist event — was recently addressed by the command chaplain:

The event’s keynote speaker, Chaplain (Col.) Pat Hash, the USASOC command chaplain, spoke and use the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den to illustrate why principles, character and personal courage are essential for soldiers serving in the United States Military.

The National Prayer Luncheon at Fort Meade also featured a command Chaplain who spoke on man’s relationship with God:

We may cross many deserts and we may ride many bulls in the course of our lives, but somehow with God’s promise, they seem no longer so God-forsaken. When we realize by faith that surely, according to Jacob, the Lord is in this place.

The National Prayer Breakfast at Aberdeen Proving Ground was addressed by Commander Col. Orlando Ortiz and installation chaplain Col. Orman Boyd, and included “gypsy jazz.”

The National Prayer Breakfast at Fort Huachuca was addressed by Chaplain (BrigGen) Donald Rutherford, currently the Army’s Deputy Chief of Chaplains and nominated to become the next Chief of Chaplains of the US Army.  Rutherford spoke of serving “God and country.”

 “Yield the right of way to the presence of the Lord in your life, be defensive in your faith and to see where your faith calls  you to go,” said Rutherford, the Army’s deputy chief of chaplains.

For some, the issue of being a believer “and a person who serves in the military” can be confusing, the Roman Catholic priest said.

In short, the answer can be found in the 12th chapter of the Gospel of St. Mark, where Jesus said “to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” Rutherford said.

Marine Corps Base Quantico appears to have conglomerated their events for the month, holding a Black History Month Prayer Breakfast.

With reference to the Army Chaplaincy blog.