Another chaplaincy concept modeled for us in Scripture is what Jesus asked for and needed from others during his darkest moments in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-45). Twice, what Jesus needed and what he asked—practically begged—his disciples for was that they "stay" and "keep watch." No "doing for" would help him in that hour.
Not even his closest friends, Peter, James, and John could do anything for him—except to stay and keep watch. Keeping watch involves active emotional and spiritual presence in addition to physical presence. There is a tendency to discount the ministry of being with someone as not constituting "real" ministry. If it is considered ministry, then it is often seen as less important than "doing for" them or "witnessing to" them.
This appears to be especially true in the Western culture that values doing over being. In ministering to others who are in crisis, the one ministering will often lament, "I didn't know what to say or do. All I could do was sit there and pray (silently)." Matthew 26 demonstrates that Jesus was asking for his disciple's presence.
He needed his disciples to just stay and be with him! The chaplain, as a representative or stand-in for God, is privileged to stay with someone who is in emotional, physical, or spiritual pain, without trying to fix the person's problems, offer unsolicited advice, or recite religious platitudes. When people realize they are not alone in their time of suffering, the fact that the chaplain has not abandoned them may enable them to believe that God has not abandoned them either. The ministry of presence is often undervalued. The sick wait for visitors, the lonely delight in company, and the fearful take comfort in companionship. The chaplain who is present—keeping watch—communicates God's assurance, "Fear not, for I am with you" (Isaiah 41:10,)
My name is Cesar and I’m A Voice In The Desert
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