Defense Officials Identify Army Casualties

Defense Department officials announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The three Combined Joint Task Force Seven soldiers were killed in an improvised explosive device attack on Jan. 27 near Iskandariyah. Killed were:

2nd Lt. Luke S. James, 24, of Oklahoma, Staff Sgt. Lester O. Kinney II, 27, of Zanesville, Ohio. Kinney and Luke were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 505th Infantry, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Sgt. Cory R. Mracek, 26, of Hay Springs, Neb. Mracek was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery, Fort Bragg, N.C.

BELOVED MERCIFUL FATHER,

We are grateful for the reminders from scripture just how much you do cherish us as your very own children. We are grateful that you are mindful of each of us while we are sojourners in this beautiful but challenging place called earth. Father, we as your children seek to return your love with our obedience and our caring for each of our brothers and sisters. Father, keep us one-pointed in our attention upon you and help us to see that we are seeing your very own precious face when we gaze upon our family members, our friends, those who are our leaders, all who are serving the Holy Cause of Freedom, and all who cross our path each day.

Father, YOU are the one in charge in a world seemingly gone mad. YOU are the one who has a grand design and a Plan which, as we are obedient, shall indeed take shape and come to fruition in the fullness of your time and Will.

Father, in obedience to your admonition to pray without ceasing, and to love one another, we do join in prayer this day for our President, leaders, military, intelligence operatives and their families. Father, we have seen in the news the attempt to bring down or muddy the mantle of our President through the stories and innuendos involving the outing of a CIA operative. We have seen reported the stories involving Ted Kennedy and Joseph Wilson's allegations. Father, we have heard our President state that if there was an illegal disclosure of a CIA operative, he wants it investigated and those responsible held accountable.

Father, we have seen how there are many forces arrayed against this President. We ask now for your own Truth and Justice in this matter to prevail. We ask that you will expose the Truth and the Lie so that there is no doubt among the minds of our people as to the reality of the situation. We ask that you will intercede in this tempest so that it is not a distraction of our President's attention, precious time, and personal resources. Father, we place this and any and all similar attacks upon our President's administration into your hands and keeping.

You have said, "The government will be upon HIS shoulders." Father, let our government indeed rest upon our Lord's shoulders, for we have evidence that this President has called Him forth for that purpose. We claim our Lord's Presence in that White House, in that House of Representatives, in that Senate, in that Supreme Court. Let this government under our Constitution indeed rest upon His shoulders this day!

We call forth your protection of each of our troops this day. We call forth your protection of those lonely souls who serve in our intelligence operations. We call forth the protection of the undercover identities of these operatives. We call forth the exposing of all who would betray our best servants. Those who work in intelligence often have very little recognition. Father, we ask that you will give each of them an unmistakable and tangible knowledge of our gratitude and appreciation of them and their work on our behalf.

In addition to the guidance and protection for the effectiveness of this Administration, we call forth physical protection for this President and all who surround him. We call forth the same physical protection for our Vice President and all our key governmental representatives and Administration Secretaries.

Father, we call forth a special healing of heart and soul for Explorer89's brother John, who has had to deal with the ugliness that is war. Father, we commend John's valiant friend to your keeping. We call forth your healing and comforting for his family. We call this forth not only for John and his friend, but for all who are in similar situations of loss and grief. We continue to echo the prayer of William Stephenson written on the eve of the Battle of Britain and given to Eleanor Roosevelt on a day when already many had given their lives in defense of England and the Free World, and more were anticipated:

"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?" *

Father, help us live lives which would compel the answer to be "YES!" Let us take the sacrifice of these young men and women and use that time and opportunity they have afforded us to work unceasingly for the preservation of our Constitution and all the freedoms it reserves for the People. Help us to face each of the encroachments upon our nation wheverever we are. Help us to fight the fight right where we are. Help us to challenge our own lethargy, our own blindness, our own demons! We claim Victory for our nation, and equally important, we claim our own personal Victories this day!

Father, we are your children, but we ask that you will help us grow into mature sons and daughters, blessed with your strength, wisdom, and courage! You have called us, so in your Mercy, help us give answer and fulfill the assignments you have given us. If we are deaf or blind to your Call, and dont know what you would have of us, but want greatly to know what you have in mind for us, grant us guidance to know what is the first step we can take this day!

Amen

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