July is Spiritual Wellness Month Published June 26, 2008 By Chaplain (Maj.) Eliezer Castanon Tinker Chapel TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Every year during the month of July, the chapel offers opportunities for spiritual wellness. This year, the Tinker Chapel is introducing the Interactive Prayer Journey, which will take place July 7 and 8 in the chapel's fellowship hall. The doors will open at 7:30 a.m. both days and will close at 9 p.m. on July 7 and at 5 p.m. July 8. Christians from all different faith backgrounds are welcome to go through this prayer journey. Families are welcome. Rooms will be available in the Religious Education Building for those from the Islamic and Jewish faiths. Those who participated in the Interactive Prayer Journey in May said it was an incredible opportunity to strengthen not only their prayer life, but also their spiritual life. Many said they were moved and came out with a sense of awe. Some walked out with tears in their eyes and others left with an urgent need to tell a neighbor, a co-worker or their spouse about their amazing experience. I can assure you that you will never be the same. This journey will definitely make a lasting impact in your spiritual life. What makes this Interactive Prayer Journey different from other experiences you may have had? Many times we go to God in prayer but we find ourselves praying the very same things time after time. Prayers for the blessing of food seem to be the same as those prayed for the last so many years. Personal and private prayers also seem to be so repetitive. This journey has eight stations, each prompting prayers for a special aspect of life. It makes you reflect on very specific and important spiritual needs you may have. You have the opportunity in solitude to express your needs to God. It also offers an opportunity pray for significant persons in your life. Are you having family problems? Is your marriage at the edge of breaking up? Are you feeling overwhelmed in raising teenage children? Is taking care of two, three or more children stressing you to a point you just need to be alone with God and present your situation to him in prayer? What about your relationship with superiors and peers? Are you facing difficulties and feel you need to just place them in God's hands and have him work out things humans are incapable of doing? You may be dealing with problems in your life that seem to be without solution and are feeling helpless. If that is the case, this prayer journey can help you take the first step in bringing hope back into your life. A chaplain will be available to assist you if you have a need to further your spiritual experience. The Tinker Community is invited to participate in this new experience. The base has experienced some disturbing times and units and families need to renew their spiritual experience. Participants are encouraged to invite co-workers, friends, neighbors or spouses and feel the presence and power of God in their life as they go through the eight stages of this Interactive Prayer Journey. For more information, call the chapel at 734-2111.