DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. – Several dozen Soldiers and Civilians gathered to reflect on building community through prayer during the Detroit Arsenal 2025 National Day of Prayer Breakfast.
The May 22 event included performances by the arsenal’s choir, a keynote speech from Rev. Todd Meyer, rector of Mariners’ Church of Detroit, a shared meal and prayers for peace, our country and the community.
“The act of praying with community, sometimes to literally come alongside someone and strengthen them in prayer, is what God has called us to do,” Meyer said.
Speaking in the cafeteria of Building 229, Meyer said prayer is an invitation from God to get to know Him better. He also described it as a pathway to discerning God’s will and fostering inner peace, no matter a person’s religious background.
“Whether it’s the meditations of a Buddhist, or the calls to prayer from a Muslim, or the higher power of an AA meeting, or the daily office prayers of an Anglican priest like myself, they’re all attempts to commune with a power that’s greater than us, because we yearn for that, do we not?” Meyer said.
Maj. Gen. Michael B. Lalor, TACOM commanding general, spoke about the powerful role prayer plays in his own life. He said he prays every day for wisdom, empathy, good judgement and compassion as a leader.
“In jobs like this, prayer keeps you grounded,” he said. “It’s a good source of power to draw back from when you need it in your own resilience.”
TACOM Chaplain Lt. Col. Douglas Yates organized the breakfast. It was the arsenal’s commemoration of the National Day of Prayer, an annual observance created in 1952 and traditionally held the first Thursday of May to invite people of all faiths to pray for the nation.
Lalor closed his remarks by encouraging people to remain steadfast in their faith and lift others up.
“Whatever your faith journey is, stay strong to it and try to bring someone along for the ride, because there’s someone out there who needs it,” he said.
Social Sharing