In the midst of war in Iraq, prayer is increasingly evident
at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Contributing to the momentum is the seminary communitys
recent participation in the “Adopt our Troops in Prayer” initiative
of the Presidential Prayer Team, an independent, nonprofit organization.
In the midst of war in Iraq, prayer is increasingly evident
at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Contributing to the momentum is the seminary communitys
recent participation in the “Adopt our Troops in Prayer” initiative
of the Presidential Prayer Team, an independent, nonprofit organization.
“We are trying to launch an organized prayer momentum
on our campus that will parallel the current threat level to our troops and
their loved ones,” says Endel Lee, assistant professor of preaching and
pastoral ministries at the seminarys undergraduate Leavell College.
“The president has asked for this prayer effort, … and
it seems like a significant way to contribute to the crisis no matter who you
are or where you live,” says Lee, who has been in the military reserves
nearly 20 years.
“I know that I would appreciate others praying for me
in this manner if I was mobilized for active service.”
In the first chapel service since the beginning of the Iraqi
war, Lee led a time of prayer for a number of seminary students, staff and alumni
who had been activated in recent weeks and for those, like Lee, who remain on
alert for possible mobilization.
Lee led participants in prayer for the troops and their family
members, for President George Bush and other American leaders, for the enemies
involved in the conflict and for peace in Jerusalem.
Lee also urged participation in the “Adopt our Troops”
campaign, which seeks persons to “adopt” a military person and their
family, promising to pray for them daily. Persons also may register the names
of soldiers and sailors they know for prayer.
Those who “adopt” personnel can print out a downloadable
certificate from www.presidentialprayerteam.org – customized with the adoptees
name. Participants from the seminary also are encouraged to bring a copy of
the certificate to the seminarys campus life office to receive a commemorative
coin embossed with the words “One nation under God.”
Lee explains the use of coins comes out of a military tradition
that sought to create the aspect of belonging.
“(The coins) are not souvenirs; they are commitment coins
whose purpose is to serve as a consistent reminder to pray for the person and
other military personnel,” he explains, noting more than 200,000 military
men or women and their families currently are impacted by the war.
By selecting a military person to adopt, participants agree
to pray daily for the individual, just as they would pray daily for the president.
The military person is randomly selected for each prayer
participant.
This effort is growing rapidly. To date, 500,000 people have
“adopted” or registered military friends and family for prayer.
In a closing prayer at the recent chapel service, seminary
President Chuck Kelley acknowledged the impact of the Iraqi conflict reaches
across the world, affecting missionaries as well as military personnel.
“We pray for the redeeming power of Jesus to so cleanse
hearts and lives and so transform our world that the day will come when war
will no longer be necessary and there will be peace,” Kelley prayed. (BP)
(For information on the commemorative coins, call 504-282-4455, ext. 8004)