A Bingo Hall Invocation for Veterans

Today, I was privileged to give the invocation for the Field of Honor, a tribute to veterans, sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of the LCO Ojibwe Reservation.  A couple hundred people gathered to honor the veterans in a heartwarming ceremony.

We started at the Bingo Hall and then went in silent procession to the field of flags, a few hundred yards away.

  I have never been asked to pray at the Bingo Hall before -- but there is a first for everything.

I decided to share "When You are a Soldier" by Steven Curtis Chapman.  Sometimes, a prayer is expressing our heart to our Creator.  Sometimes, it is the other way around:  our Creator expressing His heart to us.  The invocation I chose is the second type.

Steven Curtis Chapman -- When You Are a Soldier

When you are a soldier I will be your shield
I will go with you into the battlefield
And when the arrows start to fly take my hand and hold on tight
I will be your shield, 'cause I know how it feels
When you are a soldier

When you're tired from running I will cheer you on
Look beside you and you'll see you're not alone
And when your strength is all but gone I'll carry you until you're strong
And I will be your shield 'cause I know how it feels
When you're a soldier

I will be the one you can cry your songs to
And my eyes will share your tears
And I'll be your friend if you win or if you're defeated
Whenever you need me I will be here


When you're lost in darkness I will hold the light
I will help you find your way through the night
I'll remind you of the truth and keep the flame alive in you
And I will be your shield 'cause I know how it feels

When you are a soldier.