YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea -- In the midst of a year full of changes, Yongsan held a National Prayer Breakfast at the South Post Chapel, summoning Military Community members to join together in prayer for the country, its leaders, and its citizens, April 19.
Combined Forces Command commander Gen. James D. Thurman, CFC deputy commander Gen. Sung Kwon-oh, other flag officers and high officials were among the special guests who attended to take part in seeking divine guidance for the nation. As all the participants took their seats within the South Post Chapel main sanctuary, the morning of prayer began.
After welcoming remarks from U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jeffrey Hawkins, the playing of the national anthems, and an invocation by U.S. Forces Korea Command Chaplain Col. David Waters, several leaders came forth to lift up their prayers. As each leader came forward, those gathered were united in a time of solemn contemplation and prayer for the nation. Prayers covered each of the components of the Military Community including the national leaders, Military leaders, Soldiers and Military Families.
"This inter-faith, multinational prayer breakfast is truly a testimony of the value that you as officers, enlisted, Family members and friends place on the power of prayer in the face of the rapidly changing and ever challenging life of service in this country and throughout the world," said Rear Admiral Margaret Grun Kibben, the Marine Corps Chief of Chaplains and the morning's keynote speaker. "It's a sign, truly, that we recognize our own human limitations and that we need to seek God's presence and guidance and pray not just for this day but throughout our lives as we pray for discernment and wisdom and courage."
Kibben read to those gathered, selected passages from Joshua 3 and 4, which gave an account of the Israelites' journey across the Jordan River and God's provision for them, comparing the Israelites' journey with the current situation in Korea.
"We are encountering moments in time where we have come to a Jordan," said Kibben. "We have reached a threshold where we have faced raging tides and come face to face with them only to figure out that we can't go over them, go around them and that we are going to have go through them."
Despite the current situations of uncertainty due to significant leadership changes across the world, Kibben reassuringly reminded those present of God's provision in the past as well as Korea's history of rising up from the outcome of a devastating war, to becoming a leading industrial nation.
"God has led us here, God has sustained us up to here, and God will carry us from here," Kibben said.
In concluding her message, Kibben challenged all the members present to take charge and responsibility for the roles and abilities given to them by God during this moment in time where they were needed most. Following Kibben's motivational message, Kwon and Thurman presented gifts, showing their appreciation for her service.
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