Church of God Army Chaplain Participates in Service with President Bush
By Chaplain (Colonel) David Smartt, United States Army
“Prayer has the power to change lives and to change the course of history,” stated President Bush in his address on the National Day of Prayer. In a room filled with lawmakers of both parties and religious leaders of many faiths, the President called the nation to prayer. Representing the Army Chief of Chaplains, I had the distinct honor to participate in this 2007 National Day of Prayer service at the White House, and it was nothing short of an awesome experience.
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President Bush and Chaplain Smartt |
The President graciously welcomed the many important guests who included members of his Cabinet as well Congressional Senators and Representatives. He thanked Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson, for her leadership as the Prayer Task Force Chairwoman and Reverend Chuck Swindoll as the Honorary Chairman. He acknowledged the presence of military service members in attendance as well as all who came to emphasize this important event.
I was further encouraged when the President proceeded to remind Americans why we pray. He stated, “We pray to give thanks…for our freedom…for the brave men and women who risk their lives to defend it…for our families…for our plenty…for our nation.” He called on all of us to take a moment to thank God for many things we might normally take for granted. Without a doubt, we are a blessed people.
As if he was speaking from a genuine sense of personal experience, he spoke of prayer being vital to deepening our relationship with God and finding expression as we reach out to others in need. Most importantly, he concluded with conviction, “The greatest gift we can offer anyone is the gift of our prayers, because our prayers have power beyond our imagining…let us seek the Almighty with confidence and trust.”
As an Army Chaplain, I was keenly aware that underlying this day and the President’s stalwart remarks was the reality that we are a nation at war. While a strong military and a robust defense budget are vital to winning the war, our Commander-in-Chief had made it clear that, as a nation, we cannot underestimate the importance of prayer. Certainly, prayer can be a profound avenue of strength and comfort as we face the challenges before us. Prayer can make a difference; indeed, it can “…change the course of history.”
To learn more about the Church of God Chaplains Commission Chaplaincy programs, visit the Chaplains Commission website at:www.cogchaplains.com.
