It has been a joy and a relief to welcome the last of my soldiers back from Afghanistan. Half of the regiment was attached to various battle groups in theatre and half remained at home. This meant that padre was not going to deploy. It was frustrating not to be out there with them, but there was plenty to do in camp. Fortunately none of my soldiers were killed on operations, but we have had a few with significant injuries.

As a Baptist minister I have always sought to pray for the people in my care. I have carried this over into my life as an army chaplain. Sometimes I have the opportunity to pray with soldiers, more often I pray for them. After one particular soldier was injured the colonel asked me to pray at the Friday morning parade for him. I took the opportunity to let all those assembled know that I prayed for them regularly and then offered prayers for the soldier, his family and friends.

Later that morning three soldiers at different times told me how important they thought it was that I prayed. None of them have any formal affiliation to Christianity, but they were all clear that this was something significant. In a culture which is sometimes quite hostile to faith in general, and Christianity in particular, here are men with no religious axe to grind, reminding me that prayer is important. I find this hugely encouraging.

Watch and pray, friends, watch and pray.