Article May 26, 2003 Issue

WORLDWIDE IMMUNITY through prayer

By Ryder Stevens

I TRAVEL REGULARLY ON MILITARY BUSINESS . I've flown from my base in the United States to the Far East, the Middle East, Central Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa for long conference sessions and negotiations. Many of the countries I've visited have longstanding problems with disease. At present, there is special concern about SARS in Asia, which is next on my itinerary.

People often ask me how I can travel to such places and feel comfortable—or; more significantly, safe. They recognize that I'm already dealing with what feels like a "foreign" land—inhabited by people different from me in appearance, dress, language, and oftentimes religion.

My answer is always, "Through prayer." This is my first line of defense. This is where I turn for immunity—whether or not inoculations are compulsory for travelers.