Prayers for a Terrible Season

To its credit the Army is doing a full court press on suicide prevention. I must have gotten five phone calls about what the Chief of Chaplains is designating as a day of awareness and prayer. It happens to occur on Holy Wednesday, April 8th.

Brought on by a breathtaking op tempo in Iraq and Afghanistan and a variety of other factors, suicide is increasing in the ranks at an alarming rate, by 13% alone last year. It ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in country after hostile action and assorted accidents. Worse, consider the service members who contemplate taking their own lives. That percentage is judged to be even higher.

Chaplain Bill Barbee and I talked about the despair that must be in hand by these brothers and sisters and we paraphrased a prayer (# 22 on page 44 of the new "A Prayer Book for The Armed Services, 2008") for sleeplessness. Later I realized that prayer seemed so accurate because of the phrase, "drive off the demons of fear and worry that trouble (me)." From prayer # 11 we are reminded that "we have no secrets from you", and that, "you are with me at all times." But the consummate one is this: "15. For Help in Trouble. I started out so bravely and now I'm sinking, I'm afraid...Stretch out your hand, Saviour, to me. Catch me and hold me fast!"

When you consider all these prayers (#'s 11, 15, 22, 27, 34) you realize we can never be spectators. For example, "# 27. In Anxiety for Loved Ones Out of Touch in a Time of Trouble....Stand beside them in trouble, give them firm and hopeful hearts...and help me to hold in mind that your Spirit...stirs many to help where others are in need."

We thank the Rev. Jennifer Philips for her deft foresight to write the prayers for this edition that we truly need. +gep

Note: To order "A Prayer Book for The Armed Services, 2008" consult www.episcopalbookstore.org