[TEXOKIE]

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO ALL PRAYER WARRIORS!!

Among the various activities which are part and parcel of this time of year, I know that many on this forum have pledged a certain increment of the day to hold devotions for those fighting the War on Terrorism; our troops, our allies, our support personnel, our intelligence services, and our leadership.

Last month, from November 10 to December 10, many here answered our Call to Arms to give an increase in the usual devotions for our Cause. From that Call to Arms, these are things for which we were specifically praying:

"Over the last several days, we have seen the increasing successful attacks on our helicopters by the enemy's use of hand held rockets. We are witnessing the possible court martial of an officer who was able to obtain solid information WITHOUT TORTURE of an attack on his men, thereby saving many lives. We learned today that the Supreme Court is hearing a case in order to decide whether prisoners in Guantanomo will be granted access to the US Court system. The Senate Select Intelligence Committee has been rendered impotent because a memo surfaced outlining a plan to use classified information bringing down the Bush Administration. The loss of integrity of this committee directly puts the lives of our troops at risk. There have been stories reported that large cities in our nation have had threats once more leveled toward them by Al Quaeda during this time of Ramadan. The press has continued to ramp up its "Quagmire!" coverage by emphasizing the death toll and ignoring stories of the victorious work our troops are really doing. I know I am not alone in the distress I feel in the face of these challenges to our troops and our nation. While wrestling with the helpless feelings, it was laid on my heart to come to the Prayer Warriors here to see if together we can forge a response on the spiritual front of these battles. "

We have seen during this last month the capture of a number of weapons caches by our troops, with, by God's grace, the minimizing of the ability for the enemy to perpetrate those helicopter attacks. We saw the great victory in battle by our troops with the killing, wounding, and capturing of numbers of the enemy. We saw the charges dismissed against LTC West. Many of us are disappointed that such a fine officer's career was ruined, but we are nevertheless grateful that he has been spared further legal problems. We wish him well and hope that many opportunities will open to him.

For some of the things which we were praying for, I have not heard progress or status reports. I am hoping that some of you out there would be willing to fill us in on the status of the Supreme Court case and the Senate Intelligence Committee memo scandal.

I know I rejoice with all here that the big cities of our nation were spared from attacks which had been threatened during the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Unbeknownst to me, when the Lord laid the Call to Arms on my heart, a fellow Freeper Prayer Warrior had a similar Call. Xzins received the Calling to pray and fast specifically for the capture of Saddam Hussein. I am so very grateful for his efforts and for all who have responded. As all of you well know, four days after the conclusion of our Call to Arms project, Saddam Hussein was captured. It is my hope that while our Call to Arms was not directed at the capture of Saddam, our extra prayers and devotions were supportive and very much a part of the equation of the victory!

It is a humbling thing to envision our Lord knocking on the doors of our hearts pleading for us to be partners with Him in bringing about positive change in the world through our prayers. How grateful I am that we have received the Call and we have answered. How much more grateful I am with the vision and certitude that Prayer Warriors all over this nation and the earth have also received a prompting to a Call to Arms during this time at some level and have been praying in their homes and places of worship as well as those of us here online. The LOrd, in return has heard our calls and has answered! It is truly the prayers of ALL who have effected this great Victory, by God's grace!

(I would like to mention here that I have word from xzins that he will be leading a prayer thread focusing now on the truth of whereabouts/capture of Osama Bin Laden. All are invited to participate in that very focused prayer effort. I do not have a link at this time. Xzins, you are welcome at any time to post a link and any reminder links here. The link to the Capture Saddam threads is here:

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1021327/posts?q=1&&page=151 )

I had not had the expectation that by increasing my devotions, even by a small increment, it would bring into my life a miracle. But that indeed happened. As most of you know, I had not thought I would be able to be with my family on Thanksgiving Day. The way to do so unexpectedly, and if I may say so, miraculously opened up, and I was able to spend a very special time with my family giving Thanks for our many blessings. Glory to God in the Highest!

I am very interested in hearing your response to our CAll to Arms project. Did things happen in the news or global situation which you feel was a result of a number of us banding together? Did you have a small miracle in your life which was an unlooked-for gift?

To all who have joined us in praying for our troops and the issues in our special Call to Arms, please accept my gratitude.


BELOVED MERCIFUL FATHER,

We are so absolutely filled with the joy of Victory! Father, you have instructed us and caused us to pray. You have, by your Grace, listened to our prayers. We are so grateful for the victories we have seen over this past month. We are so grateful for your Plan and Will, and are so eager to participate with you in unfolding that Plan and Will.

As we prayed earlier, on xzin's thread, we give gratitude for your gracious answer to our prayers. We demand, according to thy Will that this man who has now been captured be held FULLY accountable before his people for the crimes he has committed. Father, there has been a momentum in the past for defeat to be snatched from the jaws of Victory, by forces who would fritter away the hard-won efforts of those who gave their blood and treasure. Father, seal this Victory, and let not those forces of darkness and evil tamper with it. Let not this man escape Justice. Let there be no 'sweetheart' deals or any other compromise. Certainly, if there is mercy to be granted in the situation, guide the placement of that mercy. Let there be mercy for the Iraqi people who have suffered under his hand.

Father, we support our xzins in his next assignment which we understand to be praying for your Will concerning disposition of Osama Bin Laden. We ask that you will guide him and give him and all praying with him the proper words which are the formulae for Victory in this matter.

We give all glory of the Victory to you and we thank you for guiding our President and all our military in the achievement of this Victory. We praise you, Father, and in the name of our beloved Saviour, we thank you for this Christmas miracle, and like happy expectant children on Christmas morning, we are looking for the next box under the tree! THANK YOU!!

Amen

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PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP
I ran across an article posted by yonif concerning the thoughts and perceptions that someone experiences when they lose a loved one. The author captured many of the thoughts and impressions I had myself when my father passed several years ago. I consider it a very good read and invite you to look at it.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/1042083/posts?page=1

[xzins]

Blessings on you and the many prayer warriors who pray with you. I cannot thank you enough for the support granted the prayer thread on the capture of Saddam Hussein.

I have been led to begin a new thread praying for the final resolution of the case of Osama bin Laden, whether capture or discovery of his current status, if he is dead.

My sense is that he is alive, so I will pray for his capture. But, I am frequently wrong, so it is possible that he is dead. As we pray, we will have "capture" mean either the capture of his living body or his dead remains. No doubt those, too, are protected by his minions if he be dead.

God bless you for your faithfulness. Let us not forget prayer and fasting. Many have the tradition of Friday fasting, so let us continue along that vein. Some may have medical conditions (for example, diabetes) that prevent their participating in a day-long fast. Sometimes, there are social events occuring on Fridays that make a whole-day fast an unlikely endeavor. However, many of us can fast nearly every Friday through breakfast and often through lunch. At other times, God grants opportunity and strength for an entire fast day. As you are led, please join with us.

As always, my prayers are with you.

[Soaring Feather]

Prayer bump

[Peach]

Prayer DOES work, as Freepers on this very forum have shown. I am personally so very glad you were able to spend time with your family. God bless and thank you for all your support and devotion to our beloved troops.

[blackie]

PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP ~ Bump!

[tiki]

I'm elated and thanking God for the capture of Saddam. I pray that this Christmas season will bring more peace and safety and success to our soldiers and the Iraqis who long for peace. I pray that the Peace of the Lord will affect the hearts of many and turn their hearts from hatred to love, knowing full well that if it be His will it will happen.

[Dubya]

Praying for the American troops.

[amom]

Amen, thank you, and another amen.

[Alamo-Girl]

PRAISE GOD!!! Thank you for the beautiful prayer! I join you and xzins in prayer!

[DLfromthedesert]

When I saw the news on Sunday, I thought about you and this wonderful thread.

Miracles abound through the power of prayer.

[Dubya]

U.S. Urges Citizens to Leave Saudi Arabia

Dec 17, 5:00 PM (ET)

By BARRY SCHWEID


WASHINGTON (AP) - Nonessential American diplomats and the families of all U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia should leave, the State Department said Wednesday, stepping up its warnings about risks in the country.

Private U.S. citizens should consider leaving as well, the department said. And Americans making plans to go to Saudi Arabia were advised to defer any such travel in light of "the potential for further terrorist activities."

The departure of U.S. officials and family members was not ordered, but was voluntary. Expenses were to be paid by the U.S. government.

Americans who travel to Saudi Arabia or remain there despite the warning were told to register with the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran so arrangements can be made to keep them up to date.

"The U.S. government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests," the department said. This includes the targeting of transportation, the statement said.

"American citizens in Saudi Arabia should remain vigilant, particularly in public places associated with the Western community," the department said.

Last month, in the latest of a string of terror incidents, a housing compound in Riyadh was bombed, killing 17 people and wounding more than 100. Police arrested a Saudi citizen believed to have helped smuggle in from Yemen the weapons used in the attack, the Saudi daily Okaz reported Wednesday.

American and Saudi officials blamed that attack and suicide bombings at three other housing projects in May on Saudi exile Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network. Thirty-five people, including nine attackers were killed in the May attacks.

Saudi officials say most of the weapons used in militant operations in Saudi Arabia - including the May suicide attacks - were smuggled from Yemen.

[fatima]

TEXOKIE,Amen,Thank you.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Praying in agreement with you, TEX, xzins. Lord, seal this great Victory and protect our troops. Thank you for the many blessings of the past month, for answering our prayers and for the special gift and guidance of TEXOKIE and xzins, who remind us of Your word and will when our own weaknesses threaten to overcome our faith in You.

Praying for the capture of Osama Bin Laden and his followers, that you continue to guide our leaders, on this forum, in our homes, our communities, our military, our nation.

Thank you, Lord, for other results from TEX's "Call to Arms" ~ that the Iraqi people who suffered so under Saddam Hussein saw Your light and strength shining in our military men and women, and in our President who risked his safety to fly into dangerous Iraq on Thanksgiving, and who thanked You to all who listened ~ so that the longsuffering Iraqi people found the courage and chose to stand up with us, to help our troops, and fight for their own freedom...Iraqi mothers and children rallying in the center of Bagdhad, Iraqi students joining together at the University to stand up for our Coalition and against terrorism, in the gathering of leaders in Afghanistan - in spite of the continued attacks from our enemies - who continue to miss and reap their own rewards - and we thank you for that daily miracle, as well, dear Lord - for the continued protection of our troops, and the defeat of our enemies.

In Jesus's mighty name, Amen.