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Our Beloved Father, the Ancient of Days,

It has been brought to our attention that our "friend" and his buddies are sometimes on the road and in the middle of angry Saddam loyalists while discharging their duties to support our troops. Father, you know the challenges they are facing. We call forth that mighty protection of your blessed and glorious angels to stand with them and all our troops and allies as they travel those roads and highways in Iraq. Let this be true as well for all who are in a similar kind of situation in Afghanistan.

Bind the cause and core of the hatred and enmity that many of the people in the Middle East and the Islamic culture worldwide are programmed to feel. Heal the momentums and generations of insular perspectives where only the family or tribe is considered "us" and worthy of loyalty. Father, these are our brothers and sisters, for you have created them. We do not share with them the same beliefs about you or your role in our lives, but they do profess to believe in God. They acknowledge the common roots of our Father Abraham. Father, we ask that you will reach those of sincere hearts while they pray and enlighten them according to your own divine Will into a higher order of understanding. Shatter the momentums of fanaticism and heal the wounds which cause a person to enter into that temptation and limitation. Father, let Iraq and Afghanistan become truly free nations, with enlightened, joyful, and peaceful people. We ask this for all Islamic nations. We also ask that this and all our prayers be adjusted according to your divine Will so that we may never pray amiss or arrogantly.

We are grateful, Father that our young people who wear the uniforms of our nation have stepped forward and are paying the price to protect our land and our freedoms. We are mindful of that gift they give, and do not take it for granted. We ask, blessed FAther, that you will grant moments of joy for our troops, allies, intelligence operatives, and civilian personnel (sometimes fondly referred to as civilian 'nuts'!) in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in all the many outposts and bases across the face of the earth during this Christmas and the Holy Days.

Bless the families and those who wait. Grant them all a special inner joy and peace during their time of separation from their loved ones. We ask for a very extraordinary blessing of healing, peace, and love for those families who have lost their young hero to the war. Surround them with our own love, and grant them a special gift of reassurance and hope during these Holy Days.

We are mindful of our precious young men and women who have been injured during the course of discharging their duties. Father, let the ones in the hospitals be comforted and healed, not only in mind and body, but especially in their souls and spirits. Father, help us in our efforts to assure these special heroes that we have not forgotten them. Grant us your grace that our vow never to forget them may be fulfilled completely during the course of their lives and beyond. Father, we ask that especially the ones who have 'no one' to call or write will in short order will be visited by your angels and their representatives so that they will not feel so terribly alone. Father, bless all efforts and projects on the part of groups or individuals who are making an effort to reach these extraordinary young men and women, as well as the veterans from previous conflicts who find themselves also hospitalized. Bless and guide the medical personnel who are caring for them. Grant them compassion and insight in the treatment of each case. Heal the bodies and tissues and nerves and organs of each one according to need. We call forth many quiet miracles on behalf of them

Blessed Ancient of Days, we thank you for the many blessings you have given us this day. We thank you for the great things, such as our freedom and the Constitution, and our great military. We thank you for the small things such as the beautiful purifying snow, the laugh of a small child seeing her daddy come off the boat, the smile of the young man in the lonely outpost who gets a special card or package from home, and the quiet moments shared with loved ones in front of the fire. Father, for these and your countless miracles we are grateful and we give you Glory.

Amen