U.S. Ambassador speaks at National Prayer Breakfast in Kuwait

By Sgt. Ashley OutlerMarch 1, 2013

ASG-KU brings US national prayer to Kuwait
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Capt. Cara E. Hobbs, the commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Third Army/U.S. Army Central, bows her head in prayer during an event honoring the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast in the T... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ASG-KU brings US national prayer to Kuwait
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers listen to Ambassador Matthew H. Tueller, U.S. ambassador to Kuwait, as he reflects on the importance of prayer in his life during a National Prayer Breakfast at the Training Activity Center, Camp Arifjan, on Feb. 21. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
ASG-KU brings US national prayer to Kuwait
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait- "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go," said the Hon. Matthew H. Tueller, U.S. ambassador to Kuwait, repeating the words of the King Claudius from the William Shakespeare play "Hamlet."

"I must ask myself before I pray, 'have I given sufficient thought to whatever my intent is?" said Tueller. "As I pray am I using language that arises with honesty from the depths of my heart rather than falling back in vain repetition?"

It was with that resolve that service members and civilians gathered for a National Prayer Breakfast held at the Camp Arifjan Training Activity Center on Feb. 21, and to unify their voices in prayer.

"It feels like home being around people who want to worship together," said Spc. Sarah E. Blackburn, unit supply specialist for North Carolina National Guard's 882nd Engineer Company. "It reminds us that we are not alone and that we all carry the same burdens."

The breakfast was an opportunity to bring a little piece of the U.S. to Kuwait by honoring the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast, which was celebrated this year on Feb. 7.

"You feel like you are separated from your heart when you are not home, because home is where the heart is," said Blackburn.

The attendance of the ambassador, as the U.S. representative to Kuwait, gave the event an "at-home" atmosphere.

"I'm really proud that the ambassador (took his) time (to) come here with us and pray," Spc. Yajaira Navarronieves, chaplain assistant for the 840th Transportation Battalion. "I feel really inspired to go to work every day and help this nation."

The event drew in a diverse crowd of service members from nearly every branch and even included a few Canadian counterparts.

"Every day should be a prayer day, but this makes it official and gathers more people," said Blackburn. "No matter where they are from or what their faith is, this is a community of people who believe in something bigger. It really helps to restore hope and that's a very good thing."

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