Earlier this year, the Army revealed it’s numbers of Soldiers that have committed suicide. Up to 143 Soldiers have died due to suicide in 2008.
Today was declared by the Army Chief of Chaplains as a day of Prayer and Fasting for our Soldiers.
Many people who read this blog tell me that they pray for our Soldiers. Today, I would ask that you take the time to call upon God to comfort those who need to be comforted and heal those who are hurting. I also ask that you would pray for the care givers, that we would have the wisdom to be able to effectively intervene in their plans. Most suicides are not attempted by people who want to end their lives–but to end the pain. We live in a different age than our predecessor warriors. We can find out and feel the effects of hardship back home–breakups, financial issues, health problems–in an instant. This is good in many ways, but it gives our Soldier more to think about than ever before.
If you are a Soldier and are having problems talk to someone. Email me if you want to, but talk to someone. If you are a soldier who knows somebody that is hurting, get them in touch with a Chaplain as soon as possible. Email me if you don’t know how to do that. But always be safe rather than sorry.