Troop Prayer Thread 10 - A Year of VICTORY!

[TEXOKIE]

THREE CHEERS FOR OUR WONDERFUL TROOPS, THEIR ALLIES, AND ALL WHO ARE SERVING IN SUPPORT CAPACITIES IN THE WAR ON TERROR! YOU HAVE GIVEN THIS NATION A YEAR OF VICTORY IN THAT WAR! The honor is yours, but know that we bask in your accomplishments and love you for your steadfast service on this day!

Welcome, everyone to the 10th Troop Prayer Thread! Today is the anniversary of the resumption of hostilities with Iraq, wherein our troops have made military history that shall ring down the centuries.

The troop prayer threads are dedicated to giving our troops, allies, and all who are serving the Holy Cause of Freedom, including (but not limited to) the families and loved ones waiting at home and those who are not in uniform but who are serving in dangerous situations supporting our troops and gathering intelligence spiritual support. We seek together to offer prayer, scriptures, encouraging messages, and other devotions dedicated to this purpose.

We have over the past year gathered together a prayer list of these servants of freedom. You will find it posted below. FReeper amom has been serving as our List Keeper this past year and I wish to thank and commend her for doing such a meticulous job of keeping it updated. She has also been keeping our ping list up to date. If you wish to submit a name for the prayer list or to add or take off a name from the ping list, please let either or both of us know.

For those of us who have somewhat limited computer capacity, or still have phone modems, we request that graphics be limited to pictures of loved ones for whom we are offering prayers, special visuals that seem particularly appropriate, and as much as possible, non-moving graphics. Thank you.

Thank you so much for spiritually supporting our troops, allies, support civilians, and their families.

We are grateful to God that for those who have been injured or taken back Home, He has dispatched angels to their care.

To view the previous prayer threads, use these links:

Troop Prayer Thread 9:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1031704/posts

Troop Prayer Thread 8:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/994696/posts?page=451,50

Troop Prayer Thread 7:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/973786/posts

Troop Prayer Thread 6:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/917197/posts?page=301,50

Troop Prayer Thread 5:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/898097/posts

Troop Prayer Thread 4:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/879044/posts

Troop Prayer Thread 3:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/873600/posts?page=151,50

Troop Prayer Thread 2:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/870136/posts

Troop Prayer Thread 1:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/863153/posts

For those who wish to pay their respects and honor our Fallen Heroes, please visit this thread:

Names,Stories, and Pictures of Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/872330/posts?q=1&&page=601

Dear Lord,
Lest I continue
My complacent way
Help me remember
Somewhere out there
A man died for me today
--As long as there be war
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?"

Taken from the book, "A Man Called Intrepid" by William Stevenson about William Stephenson, the head of British intelligence services prior to and during WWII. He wrote this at the very beginnings of the Battle of Britain and shared it with Eleanor Roosevelt.

STAR SPANGELED BANNER

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'T is the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

FRANCES SCOTT KEY

AMERICA, WE LOVE YOU!
AMERICA, WE LOVE YOU!
AMERICA, WE LOVE YOU!
AND OUR LOVE IS GREAT ENOUGH TO HOLD YOU ETERNALLY VICTORIOUS IN THE LIGHT!

[TEXOKIE]

"Amen! I have been praying my heart out."

Bless you and thank you for your post 212.

[TEXOKIE]

re your post 215.

You are most welcome. I feel very honored that you find the prayer helpful. Thank you so very much for joining me in that prayer. All glory to God for the good stuff.

[TEXOKIE]

re your post 216 of April 8:

"I just learned from Drudge that 3 Japanese civilians and 7 Korean evangelical Christians have been kidnapped by the savages. Prayers please."

"Dear Lord,
I lift up in prayer the people who are being detained by the terrorists. These terrorists have no value for life and may carry out their threats. I pray that you intervene, oh Lord, and protect these innocent people. Strengthen our military with Your might and help them in their fight against the desperate evil forces. I ask that You put protective shield over our troops and all those in hostile territories."
"In Jesus' Precious Name, Amen."

Amen, Chong. Thank you so very much for leading us in prayer on this very important matter. May God protect all who are taken hostage by the extremists. May the proper measures be taken that shall discourage this as a strategy by the insurgents.

[Soaring Feather]

Prayer bump for protection of Christians taken captive.

[TEXOKIE]

Thank you so very much for your very kind and generous words in your post 218, LucyJo.

You stated, "...what an honor and privilege it is to be a "warrior" with everyone on these threads who is wielding this powerful weapon of prayer. May God hear and bless according to His will and to His glory."

I join you in gratitude before God for bringing us together in this way and forging a spiritual weapon for our troops with our willing hearts. Indeed may God hear and bless according to His will and to His glory.

[TEXOKIE]

Your post 220:
"Prayers sent to the family for God's comfort to enfold them at this most distressing time."

Thank you for your prayers for Joe Boucher's family. We continue to hold them in our hearts and prayers.

[TEXOKIE]

Thank you for your prayers and post 221, Chong.

[TEXOKIE]

re your post 223:

You are welcome for the link. Yes, very sad. We continue to hold Joe Boucher's family in our prayers.

[TEXOKIE]

THanks for joining us in prayer with your enthusiastic 'amens' in your post 225.

[TEXOKIE]

Your post 226:

"RE John Wrobleski...may he rest easy and help to heal those loved ones he left behind from his new home."

Amen.

[TEXOKIE]

Thanks for your amen and bump in your post 227, Ms 'Tima!

[TEXOKIE]

re your post 231:

Thanks for printing it out and taking the prayer with you. Have you posted a visit report yet? If so, is there a link?


Thanks so very much to you for going to see the troops at Walter Reed in our behalf.

[TEXOKIE]

...and thank you so much for joining us in prayer in your post 232!

[TEXOKIE]

Thanks for your 236 bump, Ms Feather!

[TEXOKIE]

LOL! And your 237 bump!!

[TEXOKIE]

Your post 238:

"All will be included in my prayers."

Bless you.

[TEXOKIE]

Thanks for the 239 prayer bump.

[TEXOKIE]

Your post 240:

"Amen. May a host of angels cover them with their wings."

Amen to that.

[TEXOKIE]

Thank you for the Ohioan bump in post 241 and all your prayers for the troops!

[TEXOKIE]

Thank you for joining us in prayer in your post 243, AG!

[TEXOKIE]

"Prayer bump for FRiend and all our troops. And for our President who is under siege for the stands he takes for Truth and Justice."

Thanks for your post 244 bump and the prayers for troops and for President.

[TEXOKIE]

Thank you for leading us in prayer in your post 246.

Amen.

[TEXOKIE]

Thank you for joining us in prayer in your post 247, AG!

[TEXOKIE]

Your post 249:
"Peace to you dear Texokie, and Happy Easter."

Thank you so much, Phyllis. A belated return wish of peace to you and yours. Our Easter was lovely.

[TEXOKIE]

Your 250 in celebration of Easter:

"HAPPY EASTER!!! "

"(He's risen!)"

:-) ALLELUIAH!!

[TEXOKIE]

Thank you for your Easter greetings in your post 251, Ms Feather! I hope yours was as blessed as our was!

[TEXOKIE]

A belated "amen" to your prayers and Easter best wishes for our troops, Peach.

[TEXOKIE]

Your post 256:

"In times of trouble - we go to The Rock.
The Stone that the builders rejected. "

"When we need a Shelter - when we need a Friend, we go to the Rock."


Amen! Well said!

[TEXOKIE]

you post 259:

"Prayers this Easter and each day for our brave soldiers."

A belated thanks to you for your Easter prayers for our troops, Ramcat. We certainly join you daily in prayers for our brave soldiers.

[TEXOKIE]

Thanks for the 261 bump, Ms 'Tima!

[TEXOKIE]

Thank you for posting the PASCHAL Homily of St John Chrysostom. I was unfamiliar with it. What a beautiful and comforting thing.

"...For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first..."

[TEXOKIE]

re your post 264:

You are most welcome. Glory to God. Please accept my gratitude for being a family in service to this nation.

[Peach]

Heavenly Father - we beseech you to place a circle of angels around our troops protecting the Iraqi people and in particular ask for help for Major General Mattis. Amen

[TEXOKIE]

Re your posts 268 and 269:

Thank you so much for posting that prayer of unknown origin to this prayer thread in behalf of Aaron! How could you have possibly known...it could have come from anywhere! :-)

(BTW, thank you for your kind and generous words...all glory to God!)

Thank you for all you do on this forum for our troops.

(((VHAW)))

[TEXOKIE]

re your post 270:

I have been familiar with the analogy of the potter and clay, but I appreciate so much the way you stated it in your post. Glory to God in the highest!

[TEXOKIE]

Thanks for your post 272, potlatch. You are welcome for the ping. Easter was wonderful, but I have to agree that it wasnt the best weather for Easter we've ever had! LOL!

[TEXOKIE]

re your post 273:

Thank you for all your fervent prayers for our soldiers.

[TEXOKIE]

re your 274:
Thank you so much for all your prayers. God bless you.

[don-o]

Thank you for posting the PASCHAL Homily of St John Chrysostom.

Dear Sir:

RC or someone pinged me to the thread.

This is the homily that every Orthodox priest reads at around 2:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday.

I always weep for joy when it is read.

I am glad that it brought you some consolation.

[TEXOKIE]

Re your post 275:

You are welcome for the ping!

[rimtop56]

Dear holy Father God, I put my prayers with the others here. You said that where two are more are gathered in your name you are there in our midst. So, we thank you for being here and hearing our prayers. Thank you for the miracle of the Internet, and that there is no distance in the spirit world.

We lift up our coalition troops to you for protection and help. Lord, the bad people we are fighting hate your chosen people; they deny the lordship of Jesus, your Son; and they continually do evil against others. Please help us to have victory over these evil ones. Please help us to establish a measure of freedom in Iraq. Please give our leaders wisdom and knowledge; and expose and cut off the power of any wicked plans.

Please protect our troops and give them wisdom and knowledge to fight effectively and win. Please let the conflict end sooner than we even dare hope. Please raise up godly men in Iraq to lead their country in the right way. Please vindicate President Bush and his advisors. We give you all the glory, Lord, and we thank you in advance for your great mercy and help in this area.

[TEXOKIE]

Your post 276:
"Thanks for these threads. I don't think I have said so many prayers for so many people than I have in the past 3 years. I truly believe the Grace of God has protected many of our soldiers during their time of war, and comforted their families during their personal hardships."

"Although I rarely respond, I always add my silent prayers."

You are so very welcome for the threads. It is a huge honor to hold vigil for our troops with such wonderful Prayer Warriors.

I agree with you that prayer is a very critical weapon in our arsenal in the War on Terror. I believe so strongly that our troops have been granted many miracles of protection because of the prayers of all our compatriots.

Thank you for your many prayers for our troops. It is not a requirement to post on the thread, for we acknowledge that the heavy lifting is done by our Prayer Warriors in their own prayer closets wherever they may be. It is a joy to be able to join together for mutual support and to let each other know that we are out here doing our thing. Thank you for letting us know that you are a part of our vigil. God bless you.

[TEXOKIE]

Amen to your post 341 rimtop.

Thank you so much for leading us in prayer.

[LucyJo]

Adding Amens here, and continued prayers for all of those in harm's way.

[Happy2BMe]

I am alive today because of the intercessory prayers of my grandmother standing in the gap for me when I was lost.

There is no more powerful force in the universe than the power of prayer interwoven with praise.

It can move mountains.

Thank you for your intercessory praying on behalf of our military at war in Iraq and across the globe.

[potlatch]

Thanks for all you do, TEXOKIE. We all have a place to 'check in' because of you, amom and others.

[potlatch]

Here's an Amen to your post 208 and raising you another Amen!

LOL, we're playing Prayer Poker here, but I don't think anyone will mind!!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Wow, what a day on the prayer thread!

We're hearing good word from our courageous troops under fire who are confident in their training and their "brothers in arms."

Joining you all in prayer, with love!

Amen!

[Chong]

Thank you, LucyJo.

[amom]

We all have a place to 'check in'

Agreed. Texokie was 'called' to open this thread over a year ago. I has been my humble honor to help her by keeping the list updated.