Posted on 08/03/2005 7:58:43 PM PDT by kayak
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Thank You for the privilege of prayer that we may come to You for guidance, for comfort, and for strength. As that song we learned at our mothers' knees tells us, we are weak but You are strong. You are an Anchor in storm-tossed seas and the Keel that steers us right. You are the very Foundation of our lives, O Lord. We are grateful for Your amazing Grace in that You loved us enough to send Your own precious Son to die for our sins and to reconcile us to You that we might have fellowship with You. Let our words and our meditations be pleasing and acceptable in Your sight.
Father, we are grieved and we are angry about the loss of so many of our finest in Iraq. The enemy will not come out in the open and fight like men but hides behind disguises and deceit. Rather than yielding to such cowards, help us to strengthen our resolve to defeat these evil-doers. Open the eyes of those refuse to see that this fight is noble and just. Let our nation unite against this foe who would destroy us and our very way of life; this enemy who despises us in part because we worship You, the One True God.
Lord, we are grateful for those young men and women who have put on the uniform of our nation and taken up arms against this vicious and brutal enemy. Our hearts break that some make the ultimate sacrifice and especially when one unit, one community, suffers such great loss. Father, hold the families, friends, and communities of the fallen ones in Your embrace, bringing them Your peace that passes understanding. Help them to know that You understand the depth of their pain and help them to know, also, that America and the free world appreciate the noble sacrifice that has been made.
We know that their Commander-in-Chief feels such losses deeply; be a Balm to him in his grief. Ease the heavy burdens that he bears, O Lord. Let this time in Crawford bring him some relaxation and renewal, refreshing him for the battles ahead when he returns to Washington. Place Your wisdom within him that he may lead our nation according to Your will and make those decisions that You would have him make. Keep him steadfast in those principles that You have put in his heart. Let the President, First Lady, and their family use this time together to draw closer to You and to each other. Watch over them and keep them safe.
Father, we cry out to You in frustration. We see many of our politicians and our media engaging in vile behavior, passing off lies as truth, slandering good men and women, betraying the values that our nation has held dear since its beginning, celebrating issues that are immoral and debased. It is tempting to stoop to their level and return their invective in like kind. Lord, help us to heed Your words as written by the Apostle Paul to think on those things that are noble, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Let us remain the salt that preserves the purity of life and the values that You have set before us. Strengthen us to walk in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, in Whose Name we pray. Amen.
Amen. May God hear our prayers.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever Amen."
Agreeing with you all in Prayer, and Continuing to Lift Up our dear brother and sister, Alpha and Mrs. Alpha, in Prayer. How we Love You, Merciful Master, for Your Love and Grace in our Lives!
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