National Prayer Luncheon

The leaders of the 460th Space Wing and their family members bow their heads for the opening prayer by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Abner Valenzuela, 460th SW chaplain, at the of the National Prayer Luncheon Feb. 5, 2014, at the chapel on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. More than 350 Team Buckley members attended the luncheon, an annual event that encourages believers of any religion to seek their God through prayer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

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National Prayer Luncheon

Retired Air Force Chaplain (Col.) Gregory Tate speaks to attendees of the National Prayer Luncheon Feb. 5, 2014, at the chapel on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. Tate challenged the attendees to keep faithful with their God and seek to draw closer through prayer. More than 350 Team Buckley members attended the luncheon, an annual event that encourages believers of any religion to seek their God through prayer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

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National Prayer Luncheon

Members of Team Buckley dish up food at the National Prayer Luncheon Feb. 5, 2014, at the chapel on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. More than 350 Team Buckley members attended the luncheon, an annual event that encourages believers of any religion to seek their God through prayer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

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National Prayer Luncheon

Katie Steinke, Buckley Chapel catholic community music director, plays the piano as members of Team Buckley prepare for the annual National Prayer Luncheon Feb. 5, 2014, at the chapel on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. More than 350 Team Buckley members attended the luncheon, an annual event that encourages believers of any religion to seek their God through prayer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

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Buckley Chapel hosts National Prayer Luncheon

Published Feb. 7, 2014
By Senior Airman Phillip Houk
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Buckley Chapel hosted the National Prayer Luncheon Feb. 5, celebrating a heritage of spirituality and encouraging the use of prayer to enhance attendees' spiritual life.

More than 350 Team Buckley members shared a meal at the luncheon while sharing in conversation and listening to the guest speaker.

Chaplain (U.S. Army Capt.) Jared Vineyard, 743rd Military Intelligence Battalion chaplain, pointed out that prayer is a tradition as old as our country, using the first four U.S. presidents as an example.

"These were men of prayer. These were leaders who prayed," Vineyard said. "These men knew you can do more when you pray and live out what you pray in your life."

The National Prayer Luncheon is an annual event designed to strengthen the local community and the nation, focusing on spirituality and prayer.

"The reason to do a national prayer event on Buckley is to continue to build up the spiritual community," said Capt. Joseph Eggleston, 460th Space Wing chaplain. "I think it is essential for us to recognize that the needs of our nation go beyond the things we say or do today or in our lifetimes. We both have to seek our part in that bigger picture, and do our best within the time we have been given.

"For many, I believe, this is accomplished through prayer," he said.

Retired Air Force Chaplain (Col.) Gregory Tate gave the main presentation during the luncheon speaking on three main points: the importance of removing the unhealthy, the need to repair broken relationships and to restore the relationship with one's God through prayer.