Guests speak of power of faith at National Prayer Breakfast

The National Prayer Breakfast held at the NCO Club on Feb. 1, served as common ground for members of the Fort Jackson community to practice universal harmony of diverse beliefs.

Prayer time lead by chaplains of various beliefs invited attendees to pray in their tradition as the chaplains prayed according to theirs.

Lt. Cmdr. Leroy C. Young, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, spoke on gratitude and prayed for wisdom in the prayer for the nation "We are grateful for those who have served you faithfully during the brief two hundred and forty one years of our country's existence as well as those who have given their lives defending the great principals upon which our great country was founded," he said. "In days ahead give us the wisdom to work with our international neighbors in pursuit of security and peace so that all people may know justice, love, mercy and walk humbly with you."

Chaplain (Maj.) Douglas W. Weaver, USACHCS, lead the cadre in prayer, where he acknowledged the sacrifice of leaders whose mission is to train leaders and petitioned for continued restoration of precious resources.

"We honor the commitment of all of our Cadre here at Fort Jackson especially the drill sergeants, we recognize the selfless service and dedication that it requires to train future warriors and we are thankful for the personal sacrifices they are making to ensure our nations freedom," Weaver said.

"We pray that you will enable them with boundless energy and grant them wisdom and discernment in their endeavors," he said. "We ask that you will also bless them with peace and safety."

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Abdullah A. Hulwe 193rd Infantry Brigade, Islamic chaplain, opened the Prayer for our Families with a reading from the Quran, beseeching all the best to families.

"To bestow your blessings upon our Families so that they become blessings for others; to have the best family affair, the best prayers, the best of success, the best of knowledge and the best of

deed and most of all the best of life. Amen."

Chaplain (Col.) Milton Johnson's introduction of Rev. Kenneth Copeland, he recalled waking up to watch Rev. Copeland on television.

"I've always been struck by and moved by his teaching on the privilege of prayer; it's a privilege to address the almighty and when we address the almighty there is power in prayer," he said.

"It is my privilege to have you in our community, it is an honor to welcome you to our installation, I have no doubt in my mind that God is going to use you to speak to us and he is going to inspire you as he inspires people every day," Johnson said. "When the Lord speaks, may God bless you as you take the floor and speak through this microphone and may the almighty use you as an instrument to speak to all of us today."

"I can hardly wait to see what I've got to say," Rev. Copeland said, as the room filled with laughter.

Copeland delivered a message overflowing with what he referred to as "first hand testimonies" of really good friends who told of 91st Psalms victories.

Prayer breakfast attendee reflections on the National Prayer Breakfast echoed the significance

of the event and what it means to the Fort Jackson community.

Beverly Sowell, a breakfast attendee felt the message delivered was relevant to the audience.

"It was really good how Copeland, tailored his message to the Soldiers to get them to understand that even when they are out in battle they still have the presence of the Lord with them and they should call on him even in battle," she said,. "I liked that the International Prayer is about (how) you are encouraged to pray according to your own beliefs. I thought everything went really well a

lot of people in attendance so I really thought it was a very good setting."

Though the message delivered by Copeland focused heavily on the trials that active duty Soldiers may face community pastor Vincent D. Collins felt it was a message of encouragement that all could benefit from.

"I really believe that Dr. Copeland really spoke the heart of the community for the times that we're in," he said. "He was able to declare God's word in this season and I believe it will bring life, healing and will bring hope."

"It was a community gathering; they not only invited members of Fort Jackson but the community as a whole," Collins said. "I'm a community pastor and I really enjoyed both sides."

The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event held on Fort Jackson is open to all religions,

faiths and traditions.

Sherline Brown, breakfast attendee believes the importance of the day hinges on the subject matter of the prayers sent forth.

"We must remember that the National Prayer Breakfast is not just an event but a day set aside that we come together regardless of our faith to pray for our nation and government," she said.