Posted on 03/19/2004 12:51:59 PM PST by 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!
Praise God!!! Thanks for the update.
bumping Prayer Report!!
Pardon. But I own the market on typos :D
All of your typos are belong to me ;)
/teasing.
Bump to answered prayers!
Amen
LOL!
Thanks for the ping TEXOKIE.
TEXOKIE,
Can you ping everyone to this article. It is amazing. We need to join the Marines in prayer as we prayed for the election...without ceasing.
Can you ping your list to this? Take care and thanks!
Here's an excerpt:
Marines turn to God
06/11/2004 16:25 - (SA)
Near Fallujah - With US forces massing outside Fallujah, 35 marines swayed to Christian rock music and asked Jesus Christ to protect them in what could be the biggest battle since American troops invaded Iraq last year.
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,6119,2-10-1460_1617069,00.html
Prayer Warrior Field Trip!!
Valleygal has alerted us to this thread about the Marines in Fallujah turning to God.
She writes:
"Can you ping everyone to this article. It is amazing. We need to join the Marines in prayer as we prayed for the election...without ceasing.
Can you ping your list to this? Take care and thanks!"
Here's an excerpt:
Marines turn to God
06/11/2004 16:25 - (SA)
Near Fallujah - With US forces massing outside Fallujah, 35 marines swayed to Christian rock music and asked Jesus Christ to protect them in what could be the biggest battle since American troops invaded Iraq last year.
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,6119,2-10-1460_1617069,00.html
Yesterday, he was visited by the President and Mrs. Bush. He continues to recover. He is an amazing young man, as are all of our troops serving around the world. May God bless them all and keep them safe.
HAPPY VETERANS DAY!!!!!!!
BELOVED HEAVENLY FATHER,
Prayer warriors from all across the land are rejoicing and praising you today for the miracles you have wrought in recent days.
We have seen your hand writing by moving the people of this nation to step forward with their answer to your question, "Will this nation remain a 'nation under God'?" You have cleared the way for the return to the principles of our Founding Fathers by granting our President the numbers in Congress to achieve passage of important laws which realign us closer to your own Higher Laws.
You have brought before your Judgement Seat one known to us as Yasser Arafat. Father, we ratify whatever judgement our Lord and Savior deems appropriate for his soul. Guide and take command of the events unfolding from the removal of this one who has such blood on his hands.
The People's affirmation of George Bush's presidency has also cleared the way for justice to be granted to our precious Viet Nam veterans against whom false witness was given by the very one who wanted to take the highest seat of power of this nation. We reclaim the good name of that generation of warriors and petition you for redress that all in this nation may know and understand the true unfoldment of events which took place during that time because of actions taken by John Kerry and those aligned with him. We are grateful that such a duplicitous one was not allowed to hold the office of Commander in Chief.
Father, we are on our knees and praise you for these many blessings. We ask that you will guide our President, our congressmen, and especially the senators deliberating on who shall hold the chairmanship of the judiciary committee. Let only your divine Will be done in this and all similar situations.
We petition in this hour your intercession in the battle of Fallujah. You have cleared the way for our precious young troops to visit its own judgement upon those in Fallujah who murder, torture and terrorize in order to prevent the march of Freedom. Reach down and hold very close each one who is standing for Freedom. Grant our military miracles of protection, mercy, and wisdom. Please overshadow the ones who are leading and executing the battle. Send in legions of angels and let those of us who are holding vigil join them in Spirit in His Name for the clearing of the way in the battle against the Principalities and Powers who are arrayed against our troops in the non-physical realms. By thy Grace, strip from the Enemy all power to resist your Goodness and Divine Plan for Freedom on this planet!
Today we celebrate our nation's holiday commemorating our Veterans. Father, we owe our beloved veterans everything, for they have heard your Call and seen your Vision for the Shining City set upon the Hill. From the opening days of this nation, you have guided us and granted us heroes from among us who have given their all to the Holy Cause of Freedom and self-governance. Father, we can never repay the debt, but we ask that you will grant them extraordinary blessings which reflect the gratitude we feel for them and their service.
We praise you this day, Father. We ask that you will expand our hearts and our minds to become better instruments of thy Will. We are grateful that as evidenced by the elections we can ratify and affirm this day with confidence that this nation which was born to serve you remains in your Service. Help us each one to fulfill the personal Call to Service you send to us each day.
Amen
UPDATE ON CASY OWENS!!!
Jaded has brought to us an update on the progress of Casy Owens.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is an update on Casey Owens from Katy, Texas. He was injured in September. Check out the View Photos link.
Yesterday, he was visited by the President and Mrs. Bush. He continues to recover. He is an amazing young man, as are all of our troops serving around the world. May God bless them all and keep them safe.
Casey Owens
http://www3.caringbridge.org/tx/caseyowens/
Prayer thread bump.
On Veteran's Day, I'd like to share today's Breakpoint commentary by Chuck Colson:
No Greater Glory: Four Immortal Chaplains
The troop ship glided across the icy waters of the North Atlantic , headed for Greenland. On board, nine hundred soldiers enjoyed an amateur night program organized by the ship’s four chaplains.
But in the darkness, a deadly enemy followed them: a German U-boat. It was February 3, 1943 . The ship was the Dorchester, and her four chaplains would soon unite in a famous act of heroism.
The oldest chaplain was George Fox, a Methodist minister who insisted on serving despite lingering wounds from the First World War. Rabbi Alex Goode, at age 31, was the youngest chaplain, a brilliant scholar who dreamed of universal brotherhood. Chaplain Clark Poling was the son of a famous radio evangelist. As he left home, Poling said, “Pray, Dad, that I shall never be a coward.” Poling then kissed his pregnant wife and young son goodbye.
Finally there was Father John Washington who grew up in a poor Irish family. A childhood brush with death had led him to give his life to serve as a priest in the church.
The four, who had become friends during chaplain training, were delighted to meet up on the Dorchester. All four were loved by the men for their spiritual strength and sense of humor.
At 12:55 a.m. , a torpedo ripped a huge hole in the Dorchester’s starboard side. As Dan Kurzman writes in his book No Greater Glory, “The four chaplains leaped from their bunks determined to save as many men as possible . . . Perhaps this is what God had primed them for. They were finally in the battlefield, and their souls would be severely tested.”
The four persuaded frightened men to climb down a rope to a lifeboat. One terrified soldier shouted, “I can’t find my life jacket!” Chaplain Fox replied, “Here’s one, soldier,” and handed him his own. When Chaplain Goode realized a sailor had forgotten his gloves, he pulled off his and handed them over. The sailor—who spent the next eight hours trying to keep from being swept out of a lifeboat—later said, “I owe my life to those gloves.”
The chaplains continued to minister to the men in the moments before they died. Pfc. William Bednar, floating among dead comrades, heard the chaplains preaching courage as the ship went down. “Their voices,” he said, “were the only thing that kept me going.”
As the ship sank, the chaplains linked arms and prayed in English, Hebrew, and Latin.
Those who survived the sinking never forgot the four chaplains, and today—Veterans Day—we ought to make sure our children know the story of the four heroic men who loved each other like brothers and formed an ecumenism of the trenches. We should remember their example as we face our own battles—cultural battles that we will win only if we are willing to put aside our theological differences and join forces. We should remember them as we pray, especially this Veterans Day, for our troops on the ground and in combat right now in Iraq and for the chaplains who serve them.
Most of all, whenever we find ourselves thinking we have sacrificed enough in our all-too-comfortable lives, we ought to remember the four chaplains whose heroism reminds us that “greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Thanks for your prayers and the bump, Ms Feather.
Mr Silverback has posted an inspiring tribute to our veterans in his post 975 above.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On Veteran's Day, I'd like to share today's Breakpoint commentary by Chuck Colson:
No Greater Glory: Four Immortal Chaplains
The troop ship glided across the icy waters of the North Atlantic , headed for Greenland. On board, nine hundred soldiers enjoyed an amateur night program organized by the ship’s four chaplains.
But in the darkness, a deadly enemy followed them: a German U-boat. It was February 3, 1943 . The ship was the Dorchester, and her four chaplains would soon unite in a famous act of heroism...
....*snip*....
Please say prayers for Stryker brigade at Fallujah, as your prayer warriors storm heaven with prayers for the protection of our forces fighting Satan at the heart of the terrorist stronghold.
Dear Lord,
I don't know how to pray like TEXOKIE, so all I can do is repeat some of her petition to You and add mine to her's. Thank you, Lord, for moving enough Christian hearts to actually get out and participate in the voting process to say, "Yes, I want this great nation to remain a nation under God!" Thank you Lord, for every Christian who spoke up and decided not to belong to the "silent" majority.
On this Veterans' Day, a prominent terrorist came before You. You alone decide his fate and we know it will be just.
Thank you, Lord, for the Swiftboat veterans. This kerry has been hurting the Vietnam veterans for decades and I thank You that he is not our Commander in Chief.
I pray that You shield our troops and protect them in their righteous fight against evil in fallujah and elsewhere. TEXOKIE petitioned you to send in legions of angels and I also pray the same. Thank you for all Your blessings, Lord.
In Jesus' Precious Name, Amen.
Bump for prayers and thanks for the ping TEXOKIE.
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