“Hey, Petty Officer Fields would you please pray for my little brother back home? He’s going to have an operation on his hand. Could you pray that his surgery be uncomplicated and his recovery a quick one?”
“Petty Officer, my parents are talking about a divorce. They’ve been married more than thirty-six years. Would you please pray that they will be able to successfully work through their differences?”
“Petty Officer, I don’t feel so good today. I think I have the flu. Would you pray for me to get better? I just can’t take any time off my job her on the ship. Thanks Petty Officer!”
Petty Officer Michelle Fields, a mechanics specialist, learned quickly that having signed up to be one of the chaplain’s prayer warriors was almost as time consuming as her ship related duties. Within one week of accepting this assignment, she found herself flooded with more than two dozen prayer requests—sailors struggling with being separated from their children or spouses; sea sickness; wondering if there is a God; a toothache to name a few. During quicker, less stressful moments of the day, Petty Officer Fields was embarrassed to admit to the chaplain that she was fed up with being a prayer warrior.
“Chaplain, I really don’t have the time to pray for all of these people. This is a huge task.”
“You’re right Petty Officer Fields. Trust God. God knew exactly what He was doing when He chose you for this task. You’ll do just fine!”
As she considered the chaplain’s words, Petty Officer Fields unenthusiastically went to her quarters then went through her list of prayer requests. “Lord, King of the universe, I pray you remember…” It was at this moment that Petty Officer Fields began to understand why it was important for her to pray to the Lord for her shipmates and their petitions to God. She came to realize that as a prayer warrior she was given an opportunity for quiet time to be alone in the presence of God. Petty Officer Fields felt the obligations to others helped her see that God used her prayer warrior position as a way to call her back to herself in a new way. She learned to be attentive, compassionate, loving, caring and understanding to the needs of others. After being a prayer warrior, Petty Officer Fields began to wonder if this additional duty assignment was just God’s way bring her closer to Him. When she thought about, God is really behind every prayer request.
So when she felt overwhelmed by all of the prayer requests, she recalled the day she felt overwhelmed with them. “Perhaps its God’s way of saying, Michelle, let’s talk! Time to pray!”
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