The story of how Army Sgt Jeff Struecker became US Army Chaplain Struecker is fairly well-known.  Less publicized is the faith of Michael Durant, the helicopter pilot whose UH-60 Blackhawk was shot down over Mogadishu; the shootdown ultimately resulted in the deaths of his crew at the hands of the Somalis.  Also killed were two Delta snipers, MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randall Shughart, who received the Medal of Honor after volunteering to mount a vastly outnumbered defense for the beleaguered survivors.

Durant was a speaker at a National Prayer Luncheon at the US Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.  He said that prayer was central to his survival: 

“I prayed more in the 11 days of captivity than I have my entire life,” he said. “And, for all He did for me, He didn’t ask for anything in return.”

During his recovery and his struggle to get back in the pilot’s seat, Durant relied on God for strength and direction.

“Ask God to help you make those right decisions to do the things you hope will take you where He wants you to go,” he said. “I have used God for my guideposts.”