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Team Pope attends National Prayer Luncheon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mindy Bloem
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Pope Chapel hosted the annual National Prayer Luncheon at the Wash Rack Hanger March 27. This year's event featured Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil Richardson, Chief of Chaplains, Headquarters United States Air Force, and a performance concert by SONICFLOOd. 

The National Prayer Luncheon is a forum where members from diverse religious affiliations can come together to eat and share in what they have in common rather than in how they differ. 

"I think it is important to have this annual event because it is reassuring, empowering and a blessing to see your co-workers and leadership gathered together for the same cause and praying to God in humility," said Senior Airman Daniel Carr, 43rd Communications Squadron. "As Airmen, we have to be physically and mentally fit, and this is just one occasion we can exercise our spiritual fitness." 

Another volunteer who worked the event as a sound technician, Staff Sgt. Brian Margavich, 43rd CS, agreed. 

"This event is a great ecumenical event," he said. "It brings together a multitude of religions and helps us all to see we are praying to the same person. You can also look around at these events and rest assured that you're in the company of others who have similar beliefs, morals and values." 

As soon as members arrived for the luncheon, they were treated to music from Grammy-nominated worship band SONICFLOOd. The band also performed a second time with a special musical concert for Pope members later that night. 

"I enjoyed the band and the speaker," said Capt. Marquita Price, 43rd Medical Group. "I was surprised that I had heard most of the songs performed by the band in different denominational church settings. The songs were played according to the denominations musical preference. Another example of how we have more things in common than we think." 

In addition to prayers given by some of Pope's chaplains, two of Fort Bragg's chaplains, Rabbi Ira Ehrenpreis and Imam Mohammed Khan, also took turns at the speaker's platform, offering prayers during the luncheon. 

"Most people will probably remember the diverse religions represented as each of the chaplains prayed," Airman Carr said. "I think most people are only exposed to a very limited number of religions and hearing various faiths praying together, if nothing else, is a spiritual education." 

Another highlight for those in attendance was the inspiring message by Chaplain Richardson on the well-known Bible story, "David and Goliath." 

"People will remember the speaker," Captain Price said. "The chaplain's speech was riveting and relevant. It was inspirational in that it showed you can come from small beginnings, conquer your giants, be successful and inspire others to do the same." 

For Sergeant Margavich, the way Chaplain Richardson used the story to relate to the audience was important. 

"I liked the guest speaker the most because he was animated and very easy to understand," he said. "I enjoyed how he 'militarized' the readings from the bible so we could bring the readings into our world and understand them fully." 

In a world of unpredictability, some find it reassuring to trust in someone outside of themselves, and the prayer luncheon is just another way to cultivate that hope. 

"This event celebrates the commonality that we all share," Capt. Price said. "It is an opportunity for individuals of different faiths and diverse backgrounds to come together with one accord and with one goal in mind - to pray for the security and well being of our nation."