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When I woke up yesterday, I grabbed my Blackberry and started scrolling through emails and messages that arrived after I turned in the night before. I received an email through Facebook from a college friend that I haven’t seen since we graduated from Samford in 1993. Hayes Perdue was in the Religion program with me and honestly I had no idea that he had become a Navy chaplain until I read his message yesterday morning.

Hayes’ message was a request for prayer. After deployments to Iraq and Haiti, Hayes and a group of Marines have just been deployed to a rugged, hostile, and very dangerous part of Afghanistan.

Here is a portion of Hayes’ message to me…

“I was wondering if you and your church could keep me and my grunt Marines in your prayers for the next seven months. We are in a very hostile area in Afghanistan. The unit we are replacing has had 18 KIA’s and over 100 casualties. We will be here until late summer. My prayer is that we will accomplish our mission and all return home alive and well. With God, all things are possible! This is my last day to have access to Facebook for the next 7 months.

Unless there is a miracle, we will likely have significant numbers of seriously injured and/or killed. With that, these young men will be contemplating things they have never had to really deal with before, including, ‘What happens if the bullet does not miss?’ Pray that I am bold with the Gospel but in such a way that does not alienate them. I really only want to walk where God is opening the doors. Please pray that God would give me a fresh wind of passion for sharing the Gospel and not settle for only being a counselor—as important as that is.

Finally, pray that I can subtly and very tactfully share who Jesus is with the mullahs (religious leaders) here— at their invitation—or I might provoke dissension that would put our Marines at risk. Pray that I would be filled with the Spirit in power and wisdom. And that I would not lose courage or grow weary. I will be on the road more than anyone as I go around to the various outposts. So i will be in a pretty dangerous position. So protection as well.”

Hayes’ message was a wake-up call for me heading into the Christmas season. His message reminded me that many families are dealing with so much more than what gifts to give each other for Christmas or what to wear to the next holiday party. Not only are they apart from family during Christmas, they are also in harms way.

I committed to Hayes that I would pray for him and his family for the next 7 months and I would like to invite you to join me in that commitment.

Pray for…

• Hayes’ wife Melody as she operates as a single mom to 5 kids over the next 7 months.
• For their marriage…that it would only grow stronger while Hayes is away.
• Their 5 kids…3 boys and 2 girls…that God fill the void in their young hearts while Daddy is away.
• Protection for Hayes and his Marines in Afghanistan.
• Hayes to be able to connect with the hearts of the Marines he is serving alongside.
• Hayes to be filled with courage as he faces his fears in this life-and-death situation and that his example would provide comfort and hope for his men.
• God to open the hearts of the mullahs to the Gospel.

Thank you for your willingness to come alongside this beautiful family as they serve our great country in this capacity. If you would like to offer words of encouragement and support for the Perdue’s, please consider doing so in the comments below. Also consider passing along this post to your friends and family who are prayer warriors.

I will keep you updated as I have more information.

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Annette McNabb

I will most definitely keep the Perdue family in my prayers! This hits home with me; I was in the army reserves for eleven years and when the war Desert Storm broke out I had to resign my commision as a Major . It was very difficult for me because I wanted to continue, but I was divorced and had a seven year old.
I am so thankful for all of our service men who give their lives to protect us!

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Traylor Lovvorn

I had no idea that you were in the Reserves, Annette! Thank you so much for your service and for praying for Hayes and his family.

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lori romano

Thank you so much for this beautiful statement and your prayers for my neicenp her husband Hayes and my great neices and nephews. This made me cry but will continue to be a strong prayer warrior. Blessings

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Traylor Lovvorn

You are so very welcome, Lori.

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Elizabeth Fattore

Thank You so very, very much. Melody is my daughter and I am so grateful for your words and for your spreading this request to so many. Prayer is so powerful and God can work miracles in that country for us all to witness! This is a wonderful example of technology being used to do God's work. How fast we can spread His word and truth. I pray the you will be blessed in your ministry and that all who read your words will committ to praying for Hayes and the family…and then to watch as God works!

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Traylor Lovvorn

We will pray for you as well, Elizabeth. I know this is not easy for any of you, especially during the holidays.

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Barb Zankel

I will certainly keep Hayes and his comrades as well as his family in prayer. I have all the respect in the world for our military folks. My youngest brother who I am very close to was in Desert Storm and it was very nerve-wracking not knowing if he was okay. But he did make it and went on to make the military a career. Whhile he was stationed in Iraq, he met the chaplain for his unit and they found out they were both from the same area. My brother was assigned to be the chaplain's armed escort as they aren't allowed to carry weapons. They both are retired from the military and have remained the best of friends. Father Shomsky is the godfather of my brother's son. So yes, I will pray for all of them and for the family. It's because of them that we have our freedom!! God Bless America and all our brave soldiers!!!!

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Traylor Lovvorn

Thanks for joining us in praying for Hayes and Melody and their family, Barb. So thankful that your brother made it home safely. My younger brother was in Qatar and Afghanistan and also made it home safely. Merry Christmas!

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