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I was so overwhelmed by the feeling of anxiety you expressed for your son that I couldn't respond here last night -- so I decided to share my night-long prayers with you first thing this morning.

You see, our "#2 Son" is also in the Army in Afghanistan -- on his fourth combat tour...

I'm sure the Lord will forgive both of our secret prayers that the bad news is not for us -- just as I am sure tht he will honor our prayers for the safety of all our sons and daughters.

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Dear Lord, please forgive us parents for the selfishness of our love that causes us to cry out," Please, not mine!" at times like this, But, also, please hear our heartfelt prayers that You keep Your hands of protection and healing on all our sons and daughters who place their own lives between us and evil "over there".

Please spread your arms of grace across all our children, for we know they were Yours -- even before they were ours...

But, Lord, should the time ever come that we are called upon to receive that news which we all dread, please give us the strength and grace to turn toward -- not away from -- You, and to accept the comfort that only You can give: the loving sympathy of a Parent who saw his own Son give up His own life in love for others...

Thank you, Lord, for the bravery of our children who place their lives in harm's way for us! And, Lord, help our bravery be worthy of theirs...