Ramstein hosts National Prayer Luncheon

“God, Bless America” was this year’s key message for the National Prayer Luncheon held Jan. 28 at the Ramstein Officers’ Club.

Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) David Cyr, Air Force deputy chief of chaplains, led the luncheon as the key speaker during this annual event. As Ramstein celebrates the National Prayer Luncheon each year, so does the whole nation.

“These events highlight the wonderful phenomenon of religious freedom and religious diversity which our country enjoys and which are protected by our U.S. Constitution,” said 86th Airlift Wing Chaplain Col. Harry Mathis.

After the invocation, three representatives from separate religions said a prayer from their faith, which showed the diversity of prayer in the Air Force and did not go unnoticed by Chaplain Cyr.

“There is a lot of prayer at this luncheon,” he said. “I’ve been to prayer luncheons before and there was a lot of other stuff but no prayer. This doesn’t seem to be the case today.”

During his speech, he not only highlighted on his main topic of “God, Bless America,” but also how it was important to fight for freedom.

“It is a prayer, not just a song. And, remember freedom is at risk today. There is an epic war going on, and freedom is very precious. Any generation can give it up. It is a high cost to have the freedom we do in the United States,” Chaplain Cyr said.
And, there have been many times where freedom was at stake, the chaplain said.
“Freedom was at risk on Sept. 11, 2001, when planes were driven into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. We were at risk more recently, when the would-be Christmas Day bomber tried to destroy a plane coming into the states. So, you see there are always radicals trying to take away our freedom.”

In his speech, he also talked about the sacrifice of those before this generation.
“Our forefathers and foremothers sacrificed to enjoy freedom and our God-given liberties,” he said.

The chief of chaplains also thanked those who make sacrifices every day.

“The military members are the watchmen on the wall for world freedom,” he said. “It is a tremendous high cost, but they stand on the shoulder of those gone before us. So, God, bless our Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen … protect them. We have enjoyed freedom at a high cost.”

In closing, Chaplain Cyr spoke of how proud he is of those he stands beside.

“Thank you for your sacrifice and courage you display,” he added. “I am privileged to serve with you.”

The words of Chaplain Cyr will not be soon forgotten.

“I thought he did a tremendous job of highlighting both the religious freedoms of our country and the concept that God has truly blessed America,” Chaplain Mathis said.

The prayer luncheon closed with those in attendance singing “God, Bless America.”
The first U.S. government prayer breakfast groups were initiated in 1942 in the Senate and House of Representatives.

In 1970, the name was changed to The National Prayer Breakfast to emphasize the purpose of the gathering rather than the individuals involved.

The annual breakfast occurs every year after Congress convenes.