Prayer to target Iraq war drought

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Not since World War II has there been such united effort on the Navajo Nation to bring home America's warriors.

But beginning Friday evening, Navajo traditional medicine men, members of the Native American Church, and those of the Christian faith will unite near Wheatfields Lake in a historic prayer service, billed as the "First Annual Navajo Nation Day of Prayer for Our Active-Duty Warriors' Safe Return, for World-Wide Peace and an End to All Wars and Conflicts."

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., Navajo Nation Council Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan, and Navajo Chief Justice Herb Yazzie have proclaimed July 21 a day of prayer for peace, the end of world-wide conflict and the return home of warriors.

At Wheatfields, that proclamation will be taken to heart.

"We want to pray for these active-duty men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea all over the world," Native American Church member Raymond Jones of Rock Point said Sunday. "We want to pray for their safe return."

"Secondly, we'd like to put an end to this war and the conflicts that are going on right now Afghanistan, Iraq again, and then we keep hearing that North Korea is about to blow up. We'd like to put a stop to it," he said.

Though those items will be the main focus, Jones said there also has been a special prayer request. "Somebody was saying, 'What about the conditions out there right now? We need to pray for rain.' We said, 'Yes, we can do that.'

Jones, who served as a member of the 19th Navajo Nation Council, said the Day of Prayer events begin Friday evening with a Protection Prayer ceremony conducted by the traditional medicine men.

"It's the type of prayer that was done back in World War II and Desert Storm. They don't want no audience, just themselves and a few people, that's it. But Saturday night, that's open to everybody.

Everybody's in this together," he said.

"Apaches, Hopi, Zunis, Pueblos, Utes we want to invite all tribes and tribal veterans groups to participate."

Saturday's scheduled events begin at 1 p.m., mile north of Wheatfields Lake alongside Navajo 12.

"We will have dinner probably around 5 p.m. and then take them into the meeting. The next day, when they get out, there will be breakfast, and the main meal again Sunday afternoon around 11 a.m.

On Sunday morning, Christian worship services will begin at 9 a.m. "Some of them elected to have the services at their own churches," Jones said.

Active-duty men and women, their parents, families and relatives are especially invited to attend and participate; and all veterans, Native and non-Native, are encouraged to attend and extend their support and services. All community members, officials and supporters are more than welcome to attend and lend a helping hand, Jones said.

For more information, contact Raymond Jones at (928) 349-7242. The event is supported by the five agency commanders of the Navajo Nation within each agency. Jones is commander for Chinle Agency.