Posted on 01/26/2005 1:11:32 PM PST by ncdave4life
SOUTHERN IRAQ (BP)--A Southern Baptist chaplain stationed in Iraq has requested special prayer for U.S. troops involved in the historic democratic elections scheduled Jan. 30 in that country.
"Our troops will be delivering the voting machines and ballots to villages and cities throughout Iraq and are prime targets for the insurgents. Encourage your friends and family members and those within our churches to pray specifically for our soldiers and the electoral process," Capt. Lyle Schackelford asked in an e-mail to friends and family members.
"The insurgents do not want Iraqi citizens to vote, so they do not want the equipment to arrive at the polling stations," Schackelford wrote from Iraq. "Timely delivery must occur so that the elections occur. Freedom will not ring throughout this country if the voting process fails."
He encouraged Christians to announce the prayer request in their churches, neighborhoods and places of business. "Those with leadership roles in our churches can post this request in their newsletters, worship service bulletins and on websites. There is unlimited potential for God's presence in this process. But if we do not pray, our enemy will prevail.
"I will pray with my soldiers before they leave on their convoys and move outside our installation gates here in [Southern Iraq]. They will be driving into the arena of the enemy delivering the voting machines and equipment. It is not a game for them, but an historical mission that is extremely dangerous," Schackelford wrote. "Your prayer support and God's intervention are needed to safeguard our soldiers and give democracy a chance in the war-torn country."
Shackelford is one of nearly 2,400 Southern Baptist-endorsed chaplains serving across the country and around the world in the military, hospitals, prisons and other institutions and businesses. More than 1,000 Southern Baptist-endorsed chaplains serve in the U.S. military.
An Atlanta native, Shackelford considers Florida home but most recently has been stationed near Marysville, Ohio, where his wife, Shannon, and their two sons live.
--30--
WWW.BPNEWS.NET
Copyright (c) 2001 - 2005 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press
Please consider volunteering to help provide prayer coverage
for our troops and the Iraqi people this weekend, during the 10
hours that the polls will be open for the Iraqi election, plus
4 hours before and after the election (for ballot & voting
machine transporation, polling place setup & takedown, etc.).
Please consider signing up for one of the 36 half-hour time
slots, via this web site:
main: http://www.burtonsys.com/prayer_vigil.html
alternate: http://www.burtonsys.com/prayer_vigil2.html
Also, please feel free to forward this appeal to whomever you
think should receive it.
This is the plea which prompted this effort:
"Please ask everyone to pray for a successful election and the
safety of all the soldiers in Iraq whether they be coalition
forces or Iraqi. For us January 30th is D Day."
-LTC Keith Donahoe [1/15/2005]
http://www.anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/Dynamic.cfm?SEQNO=1993
Here's a similar plea, from another soldier. This one has been
circulating in emails. Being the suspicious person that I am,
I called Mr. Shackelford's church in Dublin Ohio, and spoke to
a friend of his, and verified that it is authentic; subsequently
I found the BPNews article about it, too:
"As a transportation battalion, my unit will be delivering
the voting machines and the ballots to villages and cities
throughout Iraq during the upcoming elections... Our convoys
are prime targets for the insurgents There is unlimited potential
for God's presence in this process but if we do not pray, then
our enemy will prevail. (See Ephesians 6:10-17)"
-Army Chaplain Lyle Shackelford (member, Dublin Baptist Church
of Dublin, OH) [see Baptist Press (www.bpnews.net) 1/21/200]
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=19956
In Christ,
-Dave
Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
http://www.mooregop.org/prayer_vigil.html
Thanks, nc. I will be praying.
Be sure to click on the "View Churches" button on the sign-up page, to see the list of churches who have members participating in this prayer vigil.
-Dave
Will redouble my prayers....
Bump!
"Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won't be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." 1 Cor 1:10 (NLT)
-Dave
May the Lord also protect the citizens of Iraq as they lay claim to a voice in their own destiny.
Thou Preparest a Table before Me in the Presence of Mine Enemies.
Pinging for prayers and fasting for the Iraqi elections.
Consider it done.
BUMP for Prayers!!!
I've been praying daily for freedom and courage to prevail in Iraq tomorrow and beyond. And God bless our coalition forces and their families.
Let not your heart be troubled
Where there is depair, hope
Where there is darkness, light, and where there is sadness, joy.
excerpt of the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Prayers and Blessings for America, her soldiers and the people of Iraq. Please give the Iraqi people the strength and courage they need to bring Democracy to their country and see it thrive.
America prays for Iraq, and remembers our times of trial.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray humbly to you, asking you to bind Satan in Iraq for this time and to free the hearts of the Iraqis from evil, horror, and fear so they can vote with clear minds for a brighter future, according to Thy will.
In Jesus' precious name we pray.
That is my favorite prayer. Could you post it all?
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, light, and where threis sadness, joy
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
A Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees. ~ Billy Graham
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