FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — More than 200 Fort Leonard Wood community members gathered Feb. 4 in Pershing Community Center for the 2025 National Prayer Luncheon.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Kevin Neihoff, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood chaplain, opened the event by explaining a little about the origins of the national prayer event.
“This annual event first began in 1953 under President Eisenhower. Originally called the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, in 1970 under President Nixon it became known as the National Prayer Breakfast,” Niehoff said. “The prayer breakfast or lunch is a time where national leaders from various military and civilian work meet to share a meal and pray.”
Chaplain (Col.) Bradley Godding, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence command chaplain, introduced guest speaker Brig. Gen. Bradley Leonard, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood deputy commanding general.
“(Brig. Gen. Bradley Leonard) is a community man. He is on the school board for his local community and contributes to the wellbeing of the next generation through that. He is actively involved in his church community as well,” Godding said.
Leonard said the national prayer events provide a time for three things —reflection, celebration and the development of spiritual readiness.
“When we talk about fitness in the military the first thing that comes to mind is physical fitness. While it is important, we have learned it is mental and spiritual fitness as well,” Leonard said.
He said the prayer luncheon is a reminder to work on spiritual fitness.
“All of us have burdens,” Leonard said. “All of us handle our burdens differently. When the burden comes, please consider the many resources the Army provides.”
He said places to seek help on post include the Army Community Service office, chain of commands, battle buddies and chaplains.
“We are all part of a team to help you, regardless of the burden you are dealing with,” Leonard said. “Our chaplains and religious service teams play a critical role for our military members’ wellness and resilience. They can help you improve your spiritual fitness level, increasing readiness. We need to be ready to be successful.”
Closing out the event was Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general.
“Take some time to reflect. That is the purpose of today,” Beck said. “Think about what spiritual readiness means to you.”
Social Sharing