Top Air Force chaplain visits Misawa

Published May 4, 2010
By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Air Force's top chaplain provided inspirational words during Misawa's National Prayer Luncheon, offering a message of spiritual guidance to service members at the Collocated Club here April 30.

Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson, Air Force chief of chaplains, challenged more than 200 service members from all denominations with the rhetorical question, "How do you pray in the middle of devastation, helplessness and tragedy?"

To answer that hard-hitting question, Chaplain Richardson turned to his faith, Christianity, sharing a message on the biblical story of Jehoshaphat.

Jehoshaphat, a military leader whose nation was in the Kingdom of Judah, was amidst an unexpected invasion from multiple enemies. The chaplain associated this account with today's service members fighting in war or those with difficulties in their lives.

Judah's troops had been "deployed" for years and were tired of war, fighting and being away from their families, Chaplain Richardson said. Just when they thought the war was over and there would be peace, they found out the enemy, who increased in size, was planning to attack.

Jehoshaphat knew his people were outnumbered and had no time to prepare, evacuate the city or build reinforcements. However, in the face of great adversity, he also knew he had to retain his faith, the chaplain added.

Chaplain Richardson tied Jehoshaphat's persistence and faith to service members of today.

"When you come to that point in life, when your only hope is in God, you might be exactly where God intended for you to be all along," said Chaplain Richardson.

The chaplain told service members to recall what Jehoshaphat said when he led his people in prayer saying, "God, we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you," he said.

"Our 'eyes' - our trust, faith, hope and sense of the future is on God," the chaplain added. "When you take the burden off your shoulders, you put them on the shoulders of God. It is in the desperate times you learn how to pray and learn what faith is all about," he said.

As Jehoshaphat and his people advanced in battle, Chaplain Richardson said they outwardly maintained faith, and their enemies turned on each other until there was no one left to fight.

"This story reminds us, when we are overwhelmed ... outnumbered and don't seem to have hope, that's the time to invite God in," he said.

In additional to Chaplain Richardson's speech, the luncheon also included a Christian scripture reading by Capt. Bryan Esendencia, a Jewish reading by Thomas Barrett and a Muslin reading by Maj. Khurram Shahzad.

"We chose these three scripturally based religious groups to give the understanding this event expresses the many different faiths in which service members worship," said Chaplain (Lt. Col). Jerry Sather, a 35th Fighter Wing chaplain, who helped coordinate the wing event.

Not only did the luncheon provide a meal for the body, it also provided nourishment for the soul, the chaplain added.