Chapter Prayer Suggestions

LtCol Kenneth M. Ruppar, USA (Ret), VCOC Chaplain

Chapter events may include a prayer as part of the schedule. Normally this is an Invocation at the beginning of the event. Some events include a Benediction at the end of the event.

Samples of such prayers can be found in prayer books, worship hymnals and the internet. An on-line search for “meeting invocations” or “dinner payers” provides many examples. 

A good discipline when preparing a prayer is to think about the specifics of the group attending, the event itself, and what is happening in the world around you. 

Personally, I prefer to write out prayers to help keep me focused. Free-flowing prayers also are effective. What I offer here are a few thoughts on preparing prayers and a sample of several prayers which may be used as they appear or, hopefully, used to stimulate your creativity in writing your own prayer. Click below hotlink to read Chapter Prayer Suggestions. 

Chapter Prayer Suggestions

LtCol Ken Ruppar, USA (Ret)
VCOC Chaplain 

Volunteer organizations like MOAA face the continual problem of recruitment. We look for new ways to attract potential members. The best method remains: face to face conversation and invitation. Talking with the potential recruit provides opportunity to share the chapter's story as well as the benefits of being part of MOAA locally and nationally. Too often the conversation jumps to how someone can fill a vacancy on a committee or Board of Directors. Let that come later and think about the long-term impact of recruiting.

As veterans, we also are interested in the future of the U.S. Armed Forces. Our concern is for the services in general but may also consider some specific skill sets. Here is an example you might consider. It will help the military and (hopefully) MOAA in the long-term

In my career in the Army we often used a quotation from General George C. Marshall in publications and briefing slides related to the religious support of soldiers. The quote is, “The soldier's heart, the soldier's spirit, the soldier's soul are everything. Unless the soldier's soul sustain him he cannot be relied ion and will fail himself, and his commander, and his country in the end.” General Marshall is right. The religious support mission remains critical to the well being of all of our uniformed services.

One of the ways we can perpetuated this important ministry is to encourage young adults to consider serving as a chaplain in a component of one the Armed Services. All it would take is planting the seed for someone to consider. You may know a young person in high school or college who might consider this. You also may know a young pastor, priest, rabbi, Imam or other person of faith. Plant the seed of ministry as a chaplain.

The needs of the services for chaplains changes as organizational structures change. The Navy, for example, announced the intention to now assign chaplains to Guided Missile Destroyers. This added an immediate need for additional accessions. Vacancies exist in all services and components, Reserves, National Guard, Active Duty, all are options. Just plant the seed.

And while you are at it, use the opportunity to explain how membership in MOAA can be helpful as part of serving as a chaplain and in retirement. Think of the long-term. A key part of any recruitment effort whether military service, MOAA or any volunteer organization, is to plant the seed by extending an invitation to check it out. Think about it! And if you find someone interested, I am available to talk with them or recommend a chaplain in the service they prefer.