National Prayer Breakfast: preparing for next month's ORI

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AB, Japan --  Survive and thrive...getting ready for the Operational Readiness Inspection was the theme for the National Prayer Breakfast held at the Rocker NCO club here Feb. 22. 

Organizations gathered to be spiritually uplifted and offer prayers for the nation, plus something a little closer to home -- preparing for next month's visit by the Pacific Air Forces Inspection General team. 

"We're taking a battle dress uniform approach with the idea of everyone getting ready spiritually, emotionally and prayerfully," said Chaplain Zeb Beck, 18th Wing chaplain. "So, when the Operational Readiness Inspection comes, everyone is charged and ready to go." 

The speaker, Chaplain Richard Hartwell, Pacific Air Forces Command chaplain, spoke on spiritual readiness and offered words to help Airmen prepare. He suggested some reflection time about things that are important in life and also overcoming future challenges, such as the ORI. 

"You Shogun warriors and your family members need to be awake. Awake as you've never been before, as you face the ORI," said Chaplain Hartwell. 

"So think of these words from scripture with me as we ponder this idea of being awake in order to survive and thrive." 

Airmen need to be physically ready to handle the body armor and wear of the gas mask for hours, but they also need to be spiritually ready as the days are long, stress is high and emotions are flowing, said Chaplain Beck. 

"If you're grounded in faith spiritually and you are praying, that helps a lot to deal with some of the things the ORI can present," he added. 

The breakfast gave Airmen the opportunity to come and hear a message about prayer. During the breakfast, the speaker also offered insights from his faith, but the prayer breakfast was geared toward a very broad audience. 

"Depending on a higher power, I believe is the magnificent defeat that brings victory," said Chaplain Hartwell. 

"I trust and pray your faith will help you to face the ORI, face challenges, serve and represent our great nation," he said.