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Although we are always aware
that the Canteen is operating
in Cyberspace, we want the troops
and anyone who is on the receiving end
of prayers at the Canteen,
to know that these prayers are very real.
I hope the troops and Canteeners
alike, will view this Canteen Chapel,
as a place where you might go in times of
trouble or times of joy to be with your God.
"Come unto me all ye who are weary and
burdened,and I shall give you rest." (Matt: 11:28).
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George W. Bush: A President of Faith
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A Man of Prayer
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A reporter on CNN was asked
"What did George W. Bush do
on his first morning as president-elect?"
This was Tony Clark's answer:
"He attended a prayer service with family,
friends and staff members."
George W Bush's priorities were established
on the first day of his Presidency.
The President Takes His Faith to Work
 
President George W. Bush looks over to Thomas Martello, 6,
during the signing ceremony of the Victims of Terrorism
Tax Relief Act in the East Room Jan. 23.
"We're joined today by families who have lost loved ones
in the great acts of evil," said the President.
"As you draw on faith and personal strength to cope with your grief,
I hope you'll also find comfort in the knowledge that
your nation stands with you and prays for you.
We mourn those whom we've lost, and we face the future together."
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The President Lives his Faith
President Bush says he prays every day
in all kinds of situations,
and has been seen to quietly bow his head and pray
before news conferences and important meetings.
"I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things
but for heavenly things, for wisdom
and patience and understanding."
"For strength and support, Bush turns to
the same things that have sustained
him for two decades: his faith and his family . . .
Bush prays and reads the Bible every day.
These days, aides say, they often spot
a Bible on his desk in the Oval Office.
In conversation or meetings, he often refers to
passages of Scripture that he has just read."
"There are prayers that help us last
through the day, or endure the night.
There are prayers of friends and strangers
that give us strength for the journey.
And there are prayers that yield
our will to a will greater than our own."
George W. Bush September 14, 2001
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.
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Music for a Sunday
How Great Thou Art (Elvis Presley) ......A Mighty Fortress
Amazing Grace (Statler Brothers).....Praise Adonai (Steve Israel)
The Lord's Prayer.....Ave Maria
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Hymns of the Military
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Army Hymn: "God of Our Fathers"
Navy Hymn: "Eternal Father Strong to Save"
Air Force Hymn: "Lord Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly"
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We, at the Canteen, offer these prayers
to those serving their country
today. God Bless you all.
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Psalm 59:1,16&17
(Patti Vaillant)
"Deliver me from mine enemies,O my God:
Defend me from them that rise up against me.
But I will sing of thy power;yes I will sing
aloud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou
hast been my defence and refuge in the day
of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength will
I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of
my mercy."
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Our Prayer
(Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli)
I pray you'll be our eyes,
And watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know.
Let this be our prayer,
When we lose our way.
Lead us to a place,
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.
I pray we'll find your light,
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
Remind us where you are..
Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.
Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child,
Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
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The Chaplain's Corner
J. Grant Swank, Jr.,
Pastor, New Hope Church
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A DIVINE INVITATION
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It was my first year at our church college, and I was homesick. Half the student body was laid low with the flu, and I was one of the sick--weak, confused, worried.
God seemed far away. Exams pressed in. My life was out of focus. I would have gone home and quit studies if I had had the physical strength to pull it off.
Then it was that God invited me to commit the entire situation to him. He welcomed me to spend one hour in prayer each day at the dormitory prayer room so that I could come to know him better.
"But I am not well enough," I pleaded. Nevertheless, the divine invitation stood fast.
I struggled out of bed with Bible in hand, making my wobbly way to the quietness of that prayer room. As I sat there, I opened the Word. I timed myself; I was determined to find help.
Day after day I stole away to the prayer place. On some days the entire hour was total boredom. Then it was that a dark whisper would come to my soul, saying, "See, this is not working. You are foolish. Why are you wasting such time with this project that is going nowhere? You could be using this hour more profitably."
I told that sinister voice to "get behind me" (Matthew l6:23). I was going to be closer to God. He was the One who could help me through the maze.
I set forty days for my prayer time frame. At the close of that time it would be Easter morning. As day folded into day, I sense God's presence more and more. Conscientiously I kept my daily prayer watch with the Lord.
The closer that I came to Easter, the more that peace took over my spirit. In fact, God's presence became so real to me that I became overcome with his joy. I wanted to tell the entire campus about the closeness to God that I had discovered.
It was wonder-filled.
I had never envisioned that with such a depressing start my prayer vigils could have brought such intimacy with Christ. In surrendering to him, I had come to experience utter freedom.
Finally, when it came to the day of resurrection, I sat in worship with tears streaming down my face. I thanked God again and again for such freedom in him.
All of this happened many years ago, yet I remember it as if it were just moments ago. And my prayer watches continue to this day.
With each day's challenges I need to relearn submission.Yet yielding to God has become easier as the years have passed.
Now I try, when the Lord directs, to tell friends about the surrender that I learned through my daily prayer watch: Such rich fellowship. Such blind faith in following the Good Shepherd. Such reckless abandonment to God's will!
Servicewoman and serviceman: Remember: God is only a prayer away. Easter time, any time, draw near to God where you are. God will draw near to you where you are. Blessings to you from your chaplain and praying friends all over the world.
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Click on the banner above to listen to this beautiful song.
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Our Canteen Chaplain,Grant Swank,is pastor
of the New Hope Church. He has pastored for
40+ years, ministering in Calgary, Alberta;
Indianapolis; Kansas City; Manchester CT;
Akron OH; Fishkill NY; Walpole MA and presently
in Maine.
Grant also finds ministry in writing for various
Protestant and Catholic publications, including
CHRISTIANITY TODAY, DECISION and THE PRIEST.
Presently, Grant is providing columns for
websites such as CHALCEDON, INTELLECTUAL.
CONSERVATIVE,
MENSNEWSDAILY, MICHNEWS and WOUNDEDSHEPHERDS.
He also writes a weekly column, "Lakes
Religion," for the PORTLAND PRESS HERALD
newspaper, Portland ME.
He and his wife, Priscilla, have traveled
extensively, including the Middle East, Europe
and South America. The Swanks have three adult
children: Crystal, Jay and
Heidi Jo.
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