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!

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

The good news : I just talked to Cesear's Mom a little while ago. She was able to talk to him last night even tho he was sedated for pain. She was thrilled with the care that he is receiving in Germany. The nurses were so excited that Mom was calling from the U.S. One of the nurses even told his Mom that she was given Cesear a kiss on his forehead for her. His Mom could then hear a loud smmaaackk while all the nurses and Cesear were laughing. It was a lighthearted moment that made his Mom feel real good.

The bad news is that the bullet injured one of his kidneys, so they had to remove it.

Cesear will be flown to the U.S. one day this week. Mom will then fly out to be with him.

[Alamo-Girl]

I join in your prayer request!

[Chong]

In Jesus' precious name, I also pray for this young man.

[Chong]

Amen, according to Your Will, it will be done, Lord.

[potlatch]

That is a beautiful quotation!!

[amom]

Prayers up for Michael.

His name has been added to the prayer list.

[amom]

Thanks for the updates on Cesear. Glad he's doing ok. He's been added to the prayer list. Please continue to keep us posted.

[amom]

Prayers up for General Kimmitt.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Special request for our Marines in the toughest neighborhoods in Iraq, and for Darrin Mortenson - a reporter in one of those particularly bad neighborhoods in Fallujah, embedded with some of our finest from Camp Pendleton.

Praying that the longsuffering Iraqis who dream of freedom find the strength to stand with our troops and civilian support teams, and for strength and assistance for our Marines - and their fellow American military, and Coalition allies (and their loved ones on the homefront) - that they are able to continue to accomplish the difficult tasks demanded of them daily, with clear minds and unburdened hearts - filled with the Holy Spirit, protected by angels, lifted by our prayers.

Marine's Prayer

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.

Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm.

Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.

Amen.

~  ~

[TEXOKIE]

PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP!!

SandRat has posted a thread with a beautiful prayer for the troops with graphics. Put on your hiking boots and move out!

http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/1121451/posts?page=2

[fatima]

Amen,Prayer tread bump.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[TEXOKIE]

PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP!!!


NOW HEAR THIS!!! BRAD'S GRAMMA HAS LET IT BE KNOWN THAT THERE ARE ITEMS NEEDED BY OUR WOUNDED TROOPS IN IRAQ BEFORE BEING SHIPPED TO GERMANY OR STATESIDE!!

If you are called to learn details, hike on over here and get your assignments! Apparently there is a need for email pen pals as well.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1121972/posts

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for the ping, TEX, and the field trips.

Amen for SandRat's prayer thread for our troops ~ and Amen for Brad's Gramma's offer to help us get supplies to our wounded troops in Iraq, with prayers of protection, comfort and healing - and thanksgiving.

[dandelion]

A big ol' bump to the top for much needed supplies! I think I need to send some things out to our boys and girls...

[dandelion]

A big ol' bump to the top for much needed supplies! I think I need to send some things out to our boys and girls...

[TEXOKIE]

PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP!!

There have been some amazing technological developments made in the way of personal body armor. Please put on your hiking boots and go here to learn more!

http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/1122702/posts?page=38

God in Heaven,

Please overshadow these folks who are working to precipitate an effective light-weight impenetrable armor for our troops! Guide them, and shatter all opposition to their work and getting their new protective discoveries into the hands of our young people in battle as soon as possible!

In the meantime and on a continuing basis we call forth your heavenly armor, the "whole armor of God," which we can visualize as a golden chain mail of impenetrable, invincible, invulnerable Light-substance upon our troops!

In addition, we are invoking for our troops in this hour by the love of our hearts and the mighty action and Will of you, our divine Father, in the name of your Son, a swaddling garment of Light...one of the prayer blankets we have been weaving together over the past year. Let each one in need of it have this garment placed over them. Let each garment be a focus of the many qualities of God which someone in battle or dangerous situations may have need of at a moment's notice. Father, enfold these young people and intercede this day so that there is a mitigation of the dangers and threats in the situations our troops are facing and a minimizing of the loss of life, limb, and hope. We invoke your legions of Victory, and we CLAIM your Victory this day! Seal that Victory, and let your Light go forth in total Victory!

Amen!

[TEXOKIE]

PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP part II:

For some reason that link didnt work...let's try this one:

http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/1122702/posts?page=38

[SAMWolf]

Bump

[fatima]

Amen bump.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Amen!

[TEXOKIE]

PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP!!

Here is a heartwarming and inspiring story about the love a county has for one of its wounded homegrown heroes. There is a tissue alert associated with this trip. So put on your hiking boots, grab a big box of tissue, and maybe even a hammer and some nails and check this out!

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1125309/posts

[TEXOKIE]

LOL! My goodness...let's try it this time with the ping list!

PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP!!

Here is a heartwarming and inspiring story about the love a county has for one of its wounded homegrown heroes. There is a tissue alert associated with this trip. So put on your hiking boots, grab a big box of tissue, and maybe even a hammer and some nails and check this out!

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1125309/posts

[Soaring Feather]

LOL you crack me up woman!!!

bump to the top!!

[TEXOKIE]

:-) *big grin*

HI MS FEATHER!!! HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU???? Thanks for laughing with me and not at me for my little senior moment there!

[Soaring Feather]

LOL!! Gee wiz Tex, a couple of weeks ago we had a night flight in the Canteen. Real pilots, too. Two of them!!
Oh man what a night! LOL Reminded me of the good ole days with you at the helm.

I am well thanks and you??

Thank You for being so faithful with the Prayer list.

[TEXOKIE]

PRAYER WARRIOR EFFICIENCY TIPS!!

I feel certain that many of you are like me in that once you embarked on the lifelong journey of becoming a Prayer Warrior, you began looking for nuggets along the way which give insight, inspiration, or encouragement in how to pray or refine our vessels. The other day I realized that it might be a useful exercise to share some of those things as we run across them. I have one with which I would like to start the ball rolling.

This is taken from a bulletin from a local church I attended recently:

A SHORT COURSE IN HUMAN RELATIONS:

The 6 most important words:
I ADMIT I MADE A MISTAKE.


The 5 most important words:
YOU DID A GOOD JOB.

The 4 most important words:
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

The 3 most important words:
WILL YOU PLEASE?

The 2 most important words:
THANK YOU.

The 1 most important word:
WE

The lease important word:
I

[Soaring Feather]

Thanks for the tips Texokie, most prudent.

[TEXOKIE]

:-( awwwwwwww sorry I missed that! I bet the Canteen Galz were all swooning! LOL!

The graphics over there in the Canteen have gotten so elaborate that my poor little modem hookup takes forever to load. It just became so hard to even pull up the Canteen. Maybe someday we'll be getting a better hookup here on the Oklahoma Plain. Actually, it really does appear hopeful, for we heard a rumor that the city is out putting in some fiber optic lines...hmmmmmmm! Think good thoughts, ok??

I'm glad you are doing well. You are welcome for the prayer thread. It is a joy, honor, and tremendous opportunity to be able to work with so many valiant Prayer Warriors in holding vigil for our troops.

[fatima]

Prayer Bump.

[TEXOKIE]

You are welcome for the tips! I'm glad you like them! I've got a few more gathered up that over time I hope to post. If you run across some that are particularly helpful, let me know!

[Soaring Feather]

..hmmmmmmm! Think good thoughts, ok??
Sorry, I know this is a serious thread, but I just could not resist. ;-)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Coming to our prayer family, joining you in prayer for our Marines and allies in Fallujah.

[TEXOKIE]

"..hmmmmmmm! Think good thoughts, ok??
Sorry, I know this is a serious thread, but I just could not resist. ;-)"


ROFL!!!

[TEXOKIE]

There is apparently some major action going on presently in Fallujah. Two threads following it can be found here:


http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1125440/posts?q=1&&page=51


http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1125432/posts

MERCIFUL FATHER IN HEAVEN,

We come to you pleading for your intercession in the battle raging in and around the town of Fallujah, Iraq. We understand that there have been heard a number of large explosions, and there has been action from our air force.

Father, we are following the admonition of General Patton, who instructed his men that prayer is the key to battle. It is the lynch pin which allows us to place into the hands of our FAther all the unforeseen things which can happen in a fire fight. We do indeed ask that you shall take command of this action, beloved Father! We ask that you will protect each and every one of our beloved troops and allies who are involved. We call forth an immediate strengthening of their spiritual and physical armor. FAther, spare the lives and limbs of these beloved young people who place themselves on the line to protect their own nation and the spirit of Freedom in Iraq and the other nations for whom they are fighting. We invoke miracles of protection and mercy! We invoke legions of your protection angels to enter the fray! Let the legions of Victory come forth and bless our young people who are fighting this day!

Father, place your all-seeing eye upon the ones who are the thugs and forces of anti-Freedom. Expose their positions to our armed forces! Expose the bankruptcy of their ideas and politics to the Arabs and peoples of Iraq and the Middle East! Father, we know that you have a Plan and a Vision. We invoke that Plan and Vision and call forth from your own hand the intercession of legions of your angels to bring it forth into manifestation!!

Father, we thank you for hearing our prayers. Comfort and bless those who have loved ones in danger. Hold them close and grant them peace, courage, and faith while they are awaiting news of their loved ones.

Take our prayers, Father, and multiply them! If our prayers are not enough by themselves, supply the lack! Enfire us with a consuming fervor and the certitude that all shall go well; that you are the One in command! Thank, you Father, for being so approachable, and yet so Mighty. We pray and hold vigil and await the outcome. We feel the rustling of the Holy Spirit. Let that rustling turn into a mighty Wind of Freedom and Victory there in Fallujah!

As always, we ask that our prayers will be adjusted according to thy Will, for we would not pray amiss.

Amen

[JulieRNR21]

I add my fervent AMEN to your beautiful prayer!

[Soaring Feather]

bump to the top.

[LucyJo]

Amen...continuing prayers.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for the pings!

[Alamo-Girl]

I join in your prayer!

[shezza]

Amen, TEXOKIE, Amen. I forwarded your prayer to my mother. My brother is an Air Force medevac currently running evac missions transporting casualties from the battlefield to the hospital in Germany. He called her yesterday needing moral support and prayer...the medical teams are working long, grueling shifts and the injuries they're seeing on these almost-teenaged youngsters are really affecting many who are treating them.

We MUST keep these brave military forces in our prayers, surrounded and uplifted constantly. The battle they're fighting is "not of flesh and blood, but of principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness." The enemy in Fallujah is pure evil, and we need to pray protection around our troops. (I loved your Full Armor prayer recently.)

Thank you for your beautiful prayers, all of them. Your words always touch my heart.

[Chong]

Dear Lord, please hear my Amen to TEXOKIE's prayers. Surround our men and women in uniform and our allies with ten thousand angels if neccessary, and crush the enemies before us, Lord. We need You more than ever and as long as we are on Your side, we believe we will be triumphant!
Your will be done and I pray in Jesus' Precious Name, Amen.

[Chong]

May God bless your brother and your family. I pray that God strengthens your brother and all in his unit as they tend to our wounded. Please let your brother know how much we appreciate his sacrifice for freedom.

[potlatch]

I liked the 'important words' TEXOKIE! Bump for prayers.

[TEXOKIE]

PRAYER WARRIOR EFFICIENCY TIPS:

Although I had not read Betty J. Eadie's previous 2 books, several days ago, we purchased her 3rd one, entitled "The Ripple Effect - Our Harvest." (I'm enjoying it very much, so probably I will read the other two now!)

For those not familiar with her work, Betty Eadie is one of the folks who has had a near death experience and written about it. From what I gather, in her first book, "Embraced by the Light," when she crossed to the other side, she was met by Jesus. Apparently her description of His acceptance of her and the enfoldment of her which He gave her is quite vivid. So much so, that many people reading it have felt themselves also to be embraced by Him.

In "Ripples" she is answering questions which people have been posing to her. She has written a chapter on prayer which I found personally to be very helpful. As I read it, I felt moved to share excerpts of it with you. I hope you find it as usable as I have!

Tex
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE POWER OF PRAYER

[From a letter to Betty:]
Your passage about prayer was particularly helpful since I always find myself repeating prayers of begging and wondering if Jesus hears me, or if what I am asking is appropriate. Now I understand that my prayers have been demonstrations of doubt, also. I need to practice faith and patience.
Can the Lord really hear us when we talk to Him? How do we know? Or do we have to pray a certain prayer?

[Betty's answer:]

God so loves his children that he bound this new world of ours to our heavenly home in an unbreakable covenant. Contained in his covenant is the promise to watch over us and to hear and answer our prayers. He promises not to intervene in our lives every time we get into trouble, but to let us work through our problems and stretch our spiritual muscles. And while he lets us act freely, he also prepares the way with experiences perfectly suited for each person's mission and growth. He is constantly involved with us, yearning for us to make the right choices and waiting for us to communicate with him through prayer.

While in the spirit world, I could look in on the earth, just as I might look into another room. Conversations on earth are heard in heaven and understood regardless of language. The Spirit speaks a universal language, deeper and more powerful than voice. It communicates accurately and clearly, piercing through mankind's ignorance or false understandings and recognizing each person's true desires. And I discovered that it is our desires, not the wording or form we use, that provides the energy that makes our prayers effective. Without a desire to connect with God, our prayers become hollow and meaningless. But with true desire, our prayers not only ascend to heaven, but they nurture us as well. They take form as an energy that if visible would be seen to add light to our presence or the aura around us. Our souls glow brighter in prayer as our spirits communicate with the Divine, because we are made more divine by the act of honest communication with the Deity.

Through prayer we bring life to our souls. Not only do we open ourselves to an increased endowment of God's love and light, but we also call down the powers of heaven to overcome trials. In sending up a desparate cry for help, we call angels down to our sides to fight for our cause by adding their energy to ours. By sincerely seeking wisdom, we open ourselves to impressions which can come immediately or at odd moments and provide keys of knowledge which unlock doors of opportunity. By offering heartfelt gratitude and praise to God for his many mercies, we bring down blessings without number because of the ripple effect. As we pour out appreciation to God, we open up space in our lives for new blessings.

Any form of prayer is a personal moment in the presence of God. Verbal prayer is often the most powerful, but prayer can be silent, too. It can be a formal offering at preset times, or it can evolve into a constant state of being, continual meditation that communicates with God at all hours. Christ encouraged his followers to pray without ceasing, meaning our hearts should always be in communication with God. Our thoughts can be prayers, too. There are times when, whatever the attitude of the body, the soul can be on its knees. As prayer warriors, those times would be continuous.

~snip~

[TEXOKIE]

In post 441 shezza has notified us that her brother is involved in the medevac efforts. He called their mother and requested prayers.

Holy Father in Heaven,
We bring to you shezza's brother working as an Air Force medevac. He is seeing many of the broken bodies caused by the darkness of battle. Father, we ask that you will surround him and all of his brothers and sisters serving with him in ministry to these wounded ones with your blessing, comfort, and healing.

Grant them your strength to withstand the trauma to the heart that dealing with such sadness can bring. SHATTER!! all despair, discouragement, and depression!! SHATTER!! any and all lasting ill effects on the mind and emotions from the ugliness of war! Bless and heal the minds and hearts of these who are on the front lines and who are witnessing and are subject themselves to the depredations of war. Grant them extra increments of healing light so that when they come into contact with these young people who are suffering, their touch and words will be charged with comfort and strength-giving balm.

Grant them teams of protection angels to guard over them and their precious cargo on their flights from Iraq to Germany. Let teams of protection angels be dispatched and present with all medevac flights wherever they may be! Let all conveyances be in top shape. Let them all be protected from attacks or stray ordinance. Let them all be granted as much intercession and mercy as your Great Law will allow.

Father, grant the medical, nursing, pilots, and other medevac personnel strength, courage, wisdom, faith, and the grace of extraordinary stamina. Grant them the ability to gain perfect rest when they have the time and space to lay their bodies down for sleep. Help all of these precious servants of healing.

We request your intercession and miracles of healing for these who wounded. Let the loss of life and limb in this conflict be minimized! Father, we implore you to take our prayers and the love of our hearts to somehow make a difference! Let these young people who love this nation so much be granted those miracles of protection! We call forth your mercy! We know and are grateful and we praise you that you hear our prayers and that you are mindful of each of these, your beloved children.

Your ways are sometimes inscrutable to us, so please, we do ask for only your divine Will to be done. If it turns out that your Will is hard for us to bear, we beseech you to help us have the strength and abundant faith to cleave to you and find your comforting hand in the hard times. Take our prayers and multiply them. Endow with with power so that they may make a real difference in the equations on the spiritual battle front. Let the legions of Victory come forth! Help us to see ALL your miracles, both the great ones and the small ones. Help us to find and count all the Victories, both the great ones and the small ones!

Thank you Father for remaining with us at all times.
Amen

[dandelion]

I lift these men and women up in prayer to You, Father. I stand with these my brothers and sisters - we call You, God of us. Nothing is so hard You cannot do it - nothing is so bad we cannot bear it. You will walk through the fire with them, Father. You will be God.

In Jesus name I pray...

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Amen.

Thank you for the powerful prayers of protection, TEX.

Joining in prayer for your brother, shezza, and for his fellow medics, medivac crews and passengers...precious cargo, all!

[prairiebreeze]

Thanks for posting those excertps Texokie. The books sound fascinating. So much to read, so little time, LOL

Prairie

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the information!