National Prayer – It’s time to pray for our nation, its leaders

Members in the community have a chance to come together and pray for our nation and its leaders during the KMC inter-faith observance of the National Prayer Breakfast 2004 at 7 to 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Ramstein Officers’ Club.
The President of the United States hosts the National Prayer Breakfast every year on the first Thursday in February since 1952. The dates may vary when cities nationwide and U.S. military installations throughout the world hold their National Prayer Breakfast.
Sponsored by the Ramstein Chapel, this year’s KMC observance will be on the same day as the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C.
“The National Prayer Breakfast is the one day every year when we, as a nation, are called to pray for our nation, our leaders and our world,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Joel Hampton, Protestant chaplain, 435th Air Base Wing Chapel and project officer for the 2004 KMC National Prayer Breakfast.
“It is significant in that it is hosted and attended by political and military leaders at the highest levels and demonstrates that our leaders understand the important role that faith has played and continues to play in the history of our nation,” he said.
The guest speaker for this year’s KMC observance is Dr. Ravi Zacharias, president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta. Doctor Zacharias, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from India, will talk about prayer and faith and how they relate to everyday life.
He will also speak and answer questions at the Faith Forum 2 p.m. Thursday at the Nightingale Theater.
“Doctor Zacharias is one of the world’s foremost thinkers and speakers in the area of faith,” said Chaplain Hampton.
The KMC National Prayer Breakfast will also have music provided by the brass quartet from U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band. Chaplains (Capt.) Hamza Al-Mubarak, Muslim chaplain; (Capt.) Andrew Cohen, Jewish chaplain; and, (Capt.) Dwayne Jones, Protestant chaplain, will offer prayers. The 435th Air Base Wing Honor Guard will present colors of the U.S. and Germany.
“It is important for KMC members to attend the National Prayer Breakfast because it gives us a chance to come together as a community for the common goal of praying for our nation and its leaders,” said Chaplain Hampton. “And, it will help us to recalibrate our personal priorities early in the busy New Year.”
Menu for the observance will be a breakfast buffet with eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and pastries.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at Sembach, Vogel-weh and both Ramstein chapels for $4 (E-5/GS-5 and below) and $6 (E-6/GS-6 and above).