BURDENED FOR OUR LEADERS AND MILITARY

by Tammy Phillips
March 14, 2022

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1Ti 2:1-2 CSB)

I love divine appointments, assignments, and alignments. If you are a kid of the King, we have things to do.  I wish I could download early March 10, 2022,  into your brains and you could watch the same story that unfolded before me. It’s sometimes hard to explain a call from Holy Spirit.

Young and handsome, retired Major General Walt Lord and his beautiful- inside-and-out wife, Grace, invited my husband and I  to a fundraising breakfast for S.A.F.E.  All I knew was that it had something to do with the military.  The day before Kris had attended a breakfast  in Nashville where Governor Lee spoke on budgets and education. Kris had three such events in the early mornings of this particular week. 

As I pulled out of our garage, Holy Spirit pricked my heart about how Kris and our leaders have to always be “on.”  I felt the heaviness and burden of our leaders.  Not only do they have their jobs to do, but they are also called to attend a multitude of events that can steal bits of  time away from their major assignments, and any life outside of their call.  I felt the burden of leadership.  I recognized that Holy Spirit was calling me to pray even more fervently for our world, national, state, city, community, business, church, and family leadership.  

Before I could pull out of our short drive, I looked heavenly and saw the wispiest white clouds painted on the azure background of the sky.  I was thankful for the day. My burden was instantly lifted in the lightness of the moment. I knew my assignment, but as I looked up and focused on the Lord, He removed the heaviness. 

Less than a mile later and not yet out of our neighborhood, I encountered a man I had never seen before.  He was out for a morning run, but he was different.  He was dressed in what looked like Marine PTU’s (physical training uniforms).  He was definitely training his physique!  The warrior was running up a steep, gradual incline carrying on his shoulders what looked like a backpack so large that a small human could be hidden inside.  His burden was so HEAVY that he was struggling to make it up the hill. 

Holy Spirit placed on my heart how heavy the burden on our military men and women.  The running man served as a picture of the weight they carry physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Service men may get to clock out at the end of the day, but they never really leave work.  They are always on and on-call.  

Our leaders and militia do not get the luxury of “turning off.”  They are on call 24/7.  They must be ready to serve at anytime.  Oddly, I had heard this same conversation amongst a group of leaders less than a week ago. Little did I know when I left the house that  morning what the LORD had prepared for me.

My husband and I are privileged to attend many events because of his leadership role at Austin Peay State University.  Our unspoken rule is he tells me when, where, and what events I need to attend, and I show up. This particular morning led me to a  S.A.F.E place and divine assignment that had been put on calendar weeks ago.   S.A.F.E. is an organization that “delivers confidential counseling free of charge to those affiliated with the military regardless of discharge type or length of service,”  included are the active-duty service, veterans, and their families.  They also provide free counseling to active Montgomery County First Responders and their families.  

We were invited to “the Lord’s Table” for breakfast. How could you turn that down?   Seated at  our table along with Walt and Grace  was Austin Peay State University President Dr. Michael Licari, Lieutenant Colonel Derek Di Bello, Command Sergeant Major Bryon Dinsmore, Tina Englen, Executive Director of  Fort Campbell Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and her husband. The table in front of us to the right seated County Mayor Jim Durrett, City Mayor Joe Pitts and his wife Cynthia.  The table to front left yielded U.S. Congressman Mark Green who was the keynote speak at the breakfast.  Mark Green “came to Tennessee in his last assignment in the Army as the flight surgeon for the premier special operations aviation regiment. As a Night Stalker, Green deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan in the War on Terror. His most memorable mission was the capture of Saddam Hussein. During the mission, he interrogated Hussein for six hours.”  – https://markgreen.house.gov/biography

Our amazing Lord had aligned, prepared, and plopped me right in the middle of the very men and women that he was calling me to “step up” my prayer game for.  

Mark eloquently spoke of three different soldiers that he knew and how they exemplified three warrior characteristics: courage, sacrifice and the “never quit,” enduring attitude.  He brought me to tears and moved my spirit with the stories of their “heart wounds”  and the burdens these warriors carried.

I learned at the breakfast that  S.A.F.E.,  is a ministry that provides a place where military and first responders can be heard,  healed of their heart wounds, and helped to unload their burdens.  

I enCOURAGE you to join me.  I hope you have been moved and also heard the call of Holy Spirit to pray for our leaders and military! PS…it does not matter who you voted for we are called to pray for our nations leaders.

Dear LORD:  

Thank you for all our leaders, military and their families. We pray for righteous and just leaders in the world, our nation, state, community, city, military,  church, and family.   Draw our leaders and military men and women closer to your heart.  Put people in their paths to guide them to you, their Salvation, Wisdom, Knowledge, Healer and Provider.  We pray that our leaders align to You and Your word.  We pray for wisdom, strength, courage and endurance for our leaders, military soldiers, and their families.  Your word says:  “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22 NKJV) We cast all our burdens on you and are confident that You will sustain the righteous, just leaders and  will remove unjust leaders. Father, empower  our leaders  and military with Your power.  Strengthen with your strength and guide with your wisdom and knowledge in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. 

If led, please click this link to read more about SAFE and to give to this wonderful organization: 

https://www.soldiersandfamiliesembraced.org   AND pray! 

“‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” (Jer 32:17 NKJV)