“As a community of faith, we can extend arms of support, healing, prayer, and compassion.”

Courage and Peace, Home and Away

“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

“He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him; whose thoughts turn often to the Lord” (Isaiah 26:3)

God promises to supply courage and peace, and we will find His presence when we turn to Him.

The dangers of war cause a deep need to seek reassurance and comfort. I find myself praying for courage and peace for our military servicemen and women, and for their families. I dread the daily news of violence in Iraq and Afghanistan, the civilians and military personnel killed. Our MGLC Prayer Team pray weekly for family members and friends of our congregation who are serving in the military: these have become more than names to me.

One day I received a request to pray for a soldier about to go on a dangerous patrol mission. Those hours of prayer passed slowly, but thankfully, word came that the mission was completed safely.

The news coverage was great when the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the Minnesota National Guard were expecting to come home in March. Instead they received a four-month extension. They now expect to return home in July.

I mention this because MGLC has a new Military Support Team, and they are working to sponsor a community-wide educational event in July to alert everyone on ways we can help military personnel and their families. We will all experience the impact of returning soldiers: whether through the workplace, church, neighborhoods, or community organizations.

This was the same message Pastor Durk and I heard when we attended a Ministerium sponsored by the Minneapolis Area Synod in January. We heard a compelling message from Chaplain Major John Morris, Minnesota National Guard. He urged pastors and congregations to extend support to returning soldiers, and their families.

Our congregation is responding. Hand-made cards with a booklet of scripture and prayers are being sent to the military personnel. The MGLC Military Support Team will become a resource on ways to help. Here are a few ideas:

Welcome veterans home with appreciation for their service, warm conversation, and non-judgmental listening.

Offer direct and concrete help to a family: bring a meal, offer to babysit, schedule a time to help with household chores.

Hold the veteran and family in prayer as they go through their transition process.

The journey home is indefinite in length and can take different paths for different people.

Recently, a faded, cloth-bound devotional book published in 1942 was shared with me: Strength For Service To God And Country. It belonged to Mike Gronholm’s great aunt Lorraine, who was a 40-year career army nurse. It holds a devotion for each day of the year and was written by pastors, lay people, congregation and seminary presidents. I marvel at how well these devotions speak to us today, in part because we are at war, and in part because God’s word is timeless. I marvel at the unity of purpose, the unity of outreach, prayer and support this little booklet represents. It was written by Christians from all denominations, towns and cities across our country.

Our servicemen and women and their families need to feel that unity of support and encouragement from all of us. As a community of faith, we can extend arms of support, healing, prayer, and compassion. God’s presence will be made known as we are present to those in need of courage and peace.

Courage and Peace,

Pastor Chris