Seminary joins national prayer effort for troops in Iraq, nation's leaders

Apr 16, 2003

NEW ORLEANS (BP)-As the war in Iraq continues the community at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has contributed to the momentum of an initiative encouraging specific nationwide prayer for the president and America's military service members. "Adopt our Troops in Prayer," is sponsored by 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," said Endel Lee, assistant professor of preaching and pastoral ministries at the seminary's undergraduate Leavell College.

"It seems like a significant way to contribute to the crisis no matter who you are or where you live," said Lee, who has been in the military reserves nearly 20 years, the last 10 as a Navy chaplain.

In a March 25 chapel service, 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 invited family members of military personnel to stand beside various seminary constituents in uniform representing the different military branches.

Using prayer guidelines suggested by North American Mission Board President Robert E. Reccord, Lee led participants in prayer for troops and their family members, for President Bush and other U.S. leaders, the enemies involved in the conflict, and for peace in Jerusalem.

In addition, Lee encouraged participation in the "Adopt our Troops" prayer campaign, which seeks to mobilize the 1.5 million members of the Internet-based Presidential Prayer Team to "adopt" a military person and their family, promising to pray for them daily. Participants in the initiative also may register the names of soldiers and sailors who are placing themselves in harm's way to preserve freedom in the United States and abroad.

Those who "adopt," can print out a downloadable certificate, customized with the adoptee's name, from the Presidential Prayer Team website, www.presidentialprayerteam.org. Participants from the seminary are encouraged to bring a copy of the certificate to the seminary's campus life office to receive also a commemorative coin embossed with the words "One nation under God."

To date, 500,000 people have already "adopted" or registered military friends and family members.

In a closing prayer, NOBTS President Chuck Kelley acknowledged the impact of the Iraqi conflict reaches across the world and affects 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.

For more information, call 504-282-4455, ext. 8004.

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