Prayer day in Fort Buchanan underlines the importance of spiritual readiness | Article

Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico – Service members, families, pensioners and veterans gathered on May 1st in the Community Club of the Installation to take part in the National Prayer Luncheon, where they prayed for peace and unity in Puerto Rico, the United States and around the world.

For Maj. Joseph Okpe, Fort Buchan's Kaplan, the National Prayer Luncheon is important.

“This event is a strong memory that prayer has the strength to combine and inspire us, and to promote unity in all areas of service and the surrounding communities. Together not only strengthens individuals, but also entire families and create a wavy effect that builds up the cohesion of the units and improves the willingness for every mission,” said Okpe.

Brig. General Carlos Torres Febus, director of the joint staff of the Puerto Rico National Guard, served as a guest speaker.

“I believe in God because he has changed my life through miracles. For example, my brother, my mother and I were healed by prayer and our beliefs from cancer. The prayer is my direct line to God, which allows me to communicate with him and to receive guidance,” said Torres.

According to Maj. Farlin Reynoso, the chaplain of family life for the 1st mission support command, prayer is a mighty tool to improve the thoroughly willingness.

“The prayer is the main remedy that we use as a chaplains to build spirituality. It promotes resistance. If you have a strong community, you also have strong soldiers and service members who can increase their willingness,” explained Reynoso.

Joseph Bender, a voluntary Protestant pastor and former technical sergeant at the US Air Force, took part in the National Prayer Luncheon and looked for the opportunity to connect with the community and to deal with the community.

“The National Prayer Luncheon connects Warfighers and Communities, offers a platform to connect, exchange certificates and support each other, which strengthens our bonds and promoted unity and mutual help,” said Bender.

Further information about spirituality and the services of the Fort Buchanan religious support office can be found in the (787) 707-4008.

Since 1775, when the Continental Congress called for the United Prayer for the first time, the Americans searched for God's leadership in times of uncertainty and gratitude. The national prayer day, which was founded in 1952 as an annual observation and in 1988 by the congress, which takes place on the first Thursday in May, asked the Americans of all faiths to pray for the nation and its leaders.