Day Thirty Nine

Second to last wake up!!

At 0730 we convened for a Multi-Faith Prayer service. I was tasked with the opening prayer on behalf of the Armed Forces. Here is what I said (it was a combination of a prayer written by Rabbi Jerome Epstein and the OU):

Almighty God on High, omnipotent King, look down from Your Sanctified Abode, and bless the valiant members of the Armed Forces of the Unites States of America who risk their lives to protect the welfare of all Your creation.

Benevolent God, be their shelter and fortress, and to not allow them to falter. May harmony dwell in their ranks, victory in their camps. Fill their hearts with faith and courage to thwart the evil schemes of our enemies and to abolish every rule of evil.

Give them the courage to meet the chilling stare of death. Show compassion to them as they seek to make the world safer for us and for those we love. Ease the pain of their loneliness as they face the darkness of their daunting task.

Let them feel Your presence as You warm the chill of their souls with the blanket of Your light. Help those far from the comfort of home to find value and meaning in their mission; that their sacrifice not be an empty act.

Let them sense the yearning of those who await their return and long for their presence – their loved ones, their parents, their children.

Protect them on land, in the air and in the sea, and destroy their adversaries. Salve their wounds with Your healing balm. Guide them in peace, lead them toward peace, and return them speedily to their families alive and unharmed.

Grant us true peace in fulfillment of the prophecy: “Nation shall not lift up sword against another nation, nor shall they learn war any more.” Let all the inhabitants of the world know that Dominion is Yours, and Your name inspires awe upon all that You have created. May this be Your will, and let us say, Amen.

We had our final private meeting with our small group leader - mine is Ch Hamel - and he once again reiterated that it is his regret that I am too old for Active Duty. He then asked that I give him a blessing. It was pretty emotional for me, I must say.

We had one LAST class on resources available to us at the school house, and we were dismissed. Tonight is the Graduation Dinner, and I am giving the Invocation. Here it is:

Avinu SheBaShamayim, Heavenly Father,

We thank You for bringing us to this wonderful day.  You have guided us, provided for us, and allowed us to grow, strengthen and develop into the Air Force chaplains that now stand humbly in Your presence.  The last few weeks have been a time of fellowship and bonding; a time of introspection and self-improvement; a time wherein we challenged our preconceptions and opened our minds to new ideas and insights.  While we learned, interacted, studied, and prayed, we were always under the shadow of Your wings and the gaze of Your watchful eyes.  While we were away from our homes and our loved ones, we were never alone for You were with us always.

You, oh Lord, are the God of Peace and the Man of War.  Like You, we pray that the peoples of the world learn to embrace each other in Brotherhood.  Yet we are prepared, should the call come, to head into harm’s way to protect this great and hallowed land that You continue to bless.

Father, we pray that those brave airmen who made the ultimate sacrifice look down upon us from their Heavenly Abode, proud in our achievments and confident in the knowledge that, through our service, their sacrifice was not in vein.

Finally, oh Lord, we pray that all who look upon us be moved by our sense of Integrity; that all who encounter us be inspired by our commitment to Service; that all who deal with us confront our determination to be Excellent; but most importantly, may all who see us see a reflection of You.

In Your Great and Exalted Name we pray.

And let us all say, Amen