Targeted Prayer

A call to prayer warriors to unite in "targeted" prayers - prayers aimed specifically at geographic areas of Iraq that are involved in heated battle (cities, towns, locales, objectives). Reason: In Old Testament God was specific in His instructions to those involved in armed conflicts. As we read or hear about battles going on in specific cities in Iraq or regions - we can unite to pray for the battles in these areas. We are not just fighting Saddam and his henchmen. There is a very real spiritual battle taking place because anywhere such evil has been allowed to fluorish as it has inside Iraq - "principalities, powers, and forces of darkness" take up residence in physical locales as well as inside the human beings dwelling there.

We are not able to defeat the legions of demons inside Iraq - but there is One who is MORE THAN ABLE to do so. We must engage in the conflict simply as being a front line prayer warrior - holding up a certain region before God in prayer and asking that the One who came to this earth to DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL and who, while He was here, went from town to town, delivering people from the hosts of wickedness that indwelt them - displaying his supreme AUTHORITY OVER EVIL SPIRITS and DEMONS and SATAN himself - this One, Jesus Christ - and His Holy Angels would be present in power and authority to defeat the demonic hordes of certain specific locales involved in intense fighting.

Yes, we are praying for individuals in our military and for our general war effort and for the families of those involved and for our President and our leaders.

But we can also do STRATEGIC PRAYING FOR LOCALES in the "news" as we read/hear about setbacks for instance and/or areas needing breakthroughs - and that kind of praying is what I am encouraging with this post.

For any who would like to participate - post here or Freepmail me and I will post a locale / specific area each day for "targeted" prayer warrior praying.

Bringing an excerpt from The Elijah List, Bettie:

""Evil Bagged in Baghdad"

- Joni Ames
JONIAMES@aol.com
Wednesday, April 09, 2003

Isaiah 21:9, "And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground."

This morning the world watched as the statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled in the midst of the city of Baghdad. American Marines helped the Iraqi people in this valiant proclamation of freedom and the end of an evil regime.

First an American flag was put over Saddam's face like a bag, as the evil power of his regime was "bagged in Baghdad." Then a rope and an Iraqi flag were put around the neck. One who knows their Bible stories couldn't help but recall the Bible story in the book of Esther where Haman was hanged on his own gallows!

As Marines helped pull the statue of Saddam forward, it bowed and broke off at the knees. The Word clearly promises that all will bow their knees to the One True God!

A Sign of Redemption

The Iraqi people danced, cheered, and threw their shoes as the symbol of their evil dictator fell! In the Old Testament, this was a sign of redemption. In the book of Ruth 4:7 it says,

"Now this was the manner in former time (in Israel)
concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things;
a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor:
and this was a testimony (in Israel.)"

Additionally, newsmen are saying that showing an enemy the sole of your shoe is a great insult in the Middle East. Interestingly, there were scenes of men holding up Saddam's photo, hitting it in the eyes and face with the sole of their shoe!

It didn't take long for the Iraqi people to break the head of Saddam off of the statue, and with the rope still attached to the neck, drag and ride the head through the streets! Whether Saddam is actually dead or not, the people have made a clear display of their choice for freedom.

It Must Be God that Gets the Glory

It isn't over, but as American Christians, let us pray that it is remembered that it is GOD who gets any glory in this! And to pray for continued protection of our president, servicemen and country.

In the Old Testament, when the idols were destroyed, the people flourished. But the key is that they additionally turn to the True God, and not another idol.

Let us continue to pray for the Iraqi people that they will now hear and obey the voice of the One True God, and be protected from any further oppression.

Amos 9:11 & 12 promises a remnant in Edom in this time, so let us also pray for brave witnesses that will bring forth a great harvest to the Lord at this time.

(/excerpt)

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We are living in days when God's glory is indeed guiding our forces, and although the peril exists, so do our noble intentions to secure an atmosphere in which Godly principles might flourish.

Father, let the Iraquis and others in the Middle East truly 'see' our intentions are for their good, and come to recognize the One True God.

Thanks, Maggie - yes - To God be the glory for all the GOOD things He is doing for Iraq - through our courageous President and our brave military! And through all - God is truly at work - in ways we don't even see now. But we do know - His will is that all oppression shall cease! So we know that lifting oppression from the Iraqi people is being done in accord with God's will. And God is glorified when His will is done! and, Inspectorette - amen and thank you for joining these prayers.

I will continue praying in earnest and in spiritual warfare for our troops and for the situation in Iraq - all of us can do this daily. We know how. We just have to resolve to do so. And we will. Also, we can commit our lives to HIM and those of our loved ones.

He is worthy of all our Praise!

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