Welcome to the Troop Prayer Thread! We gather here together in the belief that "whereever two or more are gathered in my name, there am I," and that by the grace of God, group prayer effort can be a great force for good in the world.
We are listing here members of the active armed services known to us for whom we want to pray. We are also seeking to keep track of the Captured/MIAs here for prayer purposes.
If you would like to submit someone for our list, you are welcome to do so at any time. Post their name or pseudonym here on the thread or freepmail amom or myself. If we have made any errors, please let us know so that we may correct the list. We will be making periodic updates. If you want to be added or removed from the ping list please let amom or me know by freepmail.
We invite everyone, active Freepers and Lurkers alike to join our circle in prayer for these fine men and women who have volunteered to place their lives on the line for the defense of our nation and for the liberation of the oppressed peoples of other nations. To them we send our greatest respect and gratitude. We send them our prayers and good thoughts. We ask for God's blessing upon them and their families.
For those of us who have somewhat limited computer capacity, 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.
The brave men and women who have been captured or are missing.
Army Sgt. Donald Ralph Walters, 33, of Salem, Ore., 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Pvt. Ruben Estrella-Soto, 18, of El Paso, Texas, 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Pvt. Brandon Ulysses Sloan, 19, of Bedford, Ohio, 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa, 23, of Tuba City, Ariz., 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata, 35, of El Paso, Texas, 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Pfc. Jessica D. Lynch, 19, of Palestine, W.Va., 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Master Sgt. Robert J. Dowdy, 38, of Cleveland, 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Spc. James M. Kiehl, 22, of Comfort, Texas, 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick R. Nixon, 21, of Gallatin, Tenn. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams, 31, Arizona (city not available). Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Lance Cpl. Donald J. Cline, Jr., 21, of Washoe, Nev. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Pvt. Jonathan L. Gifford, 30, of Decatur, Ill. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Pvt. Nolen R. Hutchings, 19, of Boiling Springs, S.C. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Pfc. Tamario D. Burkett, 21, of Buffalo, N.Y. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom A. Chanawongse, 22, of Waterford, Conn. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Blair, 24, of Broken Arrow, Okla. Assigned to the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group-28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, N.C.
GREAT. THANKS.
CERTAINLY PRAYERS FOR ALL SUCH!
Pray hard. Our troops are very near or in Baghdad, the lights are out and no-one on our side seems to know why.
Be careful about those flea collars. They are toxic.
Prayer bump for V.
There has been some question raised about the use by humans of flea collars. I have just consulted our veterinarian, and he tells me that it is not recommended to place the collars against the skin, but they can be worn safely around your boots or outside a thick shirt. He told me that the kind of collars he uses in his practice are called "Prevent Flea Collars". If you wish to get more specific details, they may be able to help. Their number is 1-800-5500
I've been out of pocket for several days, so my apologies for not posting lately. I am grateful to one and all for your posts and comments on this thread, and above all for all of your prayers for our troops and our nation and the coalition efforts in Iraq.
Our Keeper of the List, amom, has given us another update as of 4/6/03:
~Chong-Commander-In-Chief, President Bush, and his family.
~amom- Our leaders, our fallen, our missing and the innocent.
~FrogMom- son-in-law SSG Mike in Kuwait husband and father of two adorable
children
~FrogMom-Joseph Hudson while in the hands of animals and that those who are
being held with him are strong.
~EuroFrog-SSGMike, SSG Kris
~FrogFish-cousin SPC Chad of the 3rd Infantry in Kuwait.
~maranatha-son Mitchell, USAF air refueling wing in Oman
~SAMWolf-Freeper BKWells, and Freeper Radix's son
~Tarheel-Capt. Eric US Army
~Tiki-Anton Peterson, Steve McKinley, Tim McKinley, Cory Simmons
~prairiebreeze-Marine Corpl. Nick, Navy seaman Brad
~LBGA- son Tyler, special ops, home safe, tired but in good health.
~HiJinx-SPC Anna, BlackHawk Crew Chief and PVT Tom B., cannon crewman. Tom
is headed 'over there' next month after the birth of his first baby.
~Mr. Silverback-Corpsman Michael in Japan, Specialists John Colin Army near
DMZ in Korea, Pudgeless and his unit the 333rd Mps of the Ill National
Guard. County Board member Hadley in training at Bragg.
~JohnDoe#1-son Sergeant First Class Terry in Kuwait
~h8klintoon-Maj. William Glover, Sgt. Ellis Caudle
~fatima- Adam-spec ops, granddaughter Karen Army , Jim USN USS
Constellation, freepers Daughter in law Patty Air Force.
~Shezza-darling husband Scott (Freeper Giles Corey) US Army
~amom-Defender2, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
~Lando Lincoln-Seth Crawford USAF
~68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub-the Men and Women at the Coos Bay Coast Guard
Station. Along with active duty Coast Guard FReeper CWO Jackson.
~My back yard-brother's youngest son Bryce Owen USNavy sailed right after
Christmas
~RedWhiteBlue-nephew LCpl. Brian Kaul, USMC in Kuwait
~WLansberry-1st Lt. George Lansberry USAF
~doug from upland-PO2 Josh, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT
~OhioWfan- Son PFC Eric, Army Reserves, activated, son's unit buddy, Sean
~Heylady-Son Lt. Gregory Worden, 1ST CAV
~amom-Freeper Mike, WUSAF, Air National Guard
~GatorGirl -Husband "LT Gator"- USNR, Brother in Law-Jason-USNR, Cousin
Rich-USNR, Friend Tom-USNR, Friend Alex-USAFR
~amom-Major Sellers, USMC in the ME. Son Dillion and mom Betsy. 4 mo old
Dillion just had heart transplant.
~buffyt- Son in LawRobby Ellis Boswell USN
~WellsFargo94- CPT Bill, CPT Dan, MAJ John, CPT Tom, SGT Brian, CPT Dave,
LTC Jim, Chaplain Dave, COL N, COL L, COL S, General Franks, LTC Pat, Dr. W
~GoRepGo-Husband Willie, Navy Corpsman, Ist MEU somewhere in the sandbox.
~amom-FReeper bkwells (Deployed on USS TARAWA (LHA-1)) from the Canteen.
~ProudArmyWife-Sgt. Roney 4th Infantry Divison (hubby)
~exhausted momma-Nephew, Matt Morgan, Navy
~Severa- husband (FR screen name Hostel), USN Submariner, brother Wes, USAF
Little Rock AFB, friend Tosca, USN Corpsman, USNS Comfort, husband's cousin
David, US Army, Fort Gordon, GA
~ stand4something- husband Mike AND son Scott, (both Air National Guard)
deployed to the Mid-East)
~ JulieRNR21- a friend's grandson, Wesley in the USAF
~ LKR59-Timmy (Army) in Kuwait, John (Army) in Afghanistan, and Karen (Army)
in Saudi Arabia
~Joy Angela-cousin Steve Jr. early 20s with a 6 year old son
~FReeper Proud Legions
~FReeper Hostel, USN Active Duty Submariner
~ OhioWfan -son Eric
~ mystery-ak -husband Mike and their son Jonathan both deployed
~ Gogranny - grandson
~ Inspectorette -son Eric
~ Slip18- nephew is aboard ship - active duty USN
~ anniegetyourgun - nephew Josh
~ Himyar - son Robert
~ homeschool mama- nephew Michael is in the Navy
~ CyberAnt- nephew Jody
~ milagro- son is deployed in the Mid-East
~ BlessedAmerican- nephew David Marine deployed to the Mid-East
~ Jewels1091 -friends of daughter, Ross (101st airborne), deployed to
Mid-East,
Chris (Navy) heading for Mid-East, cousin, Phil, serving in the US Navy
~ TruthNtegrity - lurker friend Pat's nephew Ben (Marines) Kuwait and his
mother Tracy.
~ TruthNtegrity- younger brother, John (Navy), has been deployed, and his
family.
~TruthNtegrity-Ensign Andy, US Navy - my cousin's son, pilot LTC Andrew
deployed, Marine Keith.
~ Hoosiermama- Brad who has been deployed, His brother Jeff who has just
enlisted. Shanty & Josh (husband & wife just deployed separately), Bill and
Bill (both military academy grads), (when you teach, they're all your kids)
Brad from Maigrey, Sgt. C. Cole
~notpoliticallycorewrecked- husband soon to be deployed
~notpoliticallycorewrecked- military email buddies
~ Wneighbor -son-in-law Thomas deployed
~ zlala -brother is deploying to the Mid-East
~ tamikamaria- cousin Annette (Navy) stationed on an aircraft carrier,
.best friend's brother is in the Army, sister is in the Navy
~ Radix -son is deployed
~ Pippin - niece in the Air Force, nephew in the Army stationed in the Far
East
~ WomanofStandard -a dear friend has three sons in the military
...Dustin (Army) - Mid-East-Troy (Air Force) - Italy, Tyler (Army) - just
returned from Afghanistan and currently at Ft. Bragg, NC
~ baseball mom - friend's nephew, Thomas (Navy), just deployed
~ a special Freeper -brother is an Army Chaplain
~ hoosier_RW_conspirator -friend's son Danny (Army), just deployed
~ ivoteright - hubby (Air Force) has been deployed, he is also b-i-l to I'm
ALL Right!
~ kemathen7 -boyfriend, John (AirForce)
~ GretchenEE -son of dear friends, Silas (Army), deployed to Mid-East
~bentfeather- Long Cut, Ms Cut, Mini Cut
~Warriormom -CIA agents whose plane crashed and may have been kidnapped in
Colombia, dear friend Greg, deployed to Mid-East
~ Freeper Per-Ling active duty in the Navy has a wife and 2-year-old
~ leenie312 son Nicholas is in the Marines
~ rentense-friend's brother, Brian Z.
~ AF_Blue -active-duty AF, and family
~southern grit- coworker and dear friend SFC Sarah Augustine Kuwait
~Antijen-Jason Bontrager USN, Justin Lapp USN, Jack Snowden USN
~Antijen- friend Mark
~Jim O-L Cpl Travis Groce & Wife L Cpl Brandy Groce in Kuwait
~Snippy_about_it- Brian Wells (bkwells)and crew deployed on USS Tarawa, also
his family back here at home, FReeper KKING (Tim is a contractor working in
Kuwait in support our troops) , 2LT Radix Jr, Army-deployed (son of Freeper
Radix), Freeper M1911A1 MSgt of Marines and his wife,freeper M0sby, Freeper
Mojo2001's husband Navy-deployed, SPCKarl Gray Army-deployed(son of freeper
beallyoucanbe)
~Blue Scourge- Sgt. Daniel Mayzik 3rd Armor Div.
~seams2me-Cody Buhler USN, David Blassingame USMC, Trey US Army, Darby
Bishop US Army
68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub-Long Cut (USN) and Mrs. Cut, SK1 Thurman (USN) and
her sister Trish (USMC)
~Maigrey-cousin C.C.
~Condi2008- Friend J.D.
~tamikamaria- cousin Annette, best friend's brother and sister
~lizbet-cousin's son Marc
~jtill- friend P.A. and family
~steams tome-adopted servicemen Trey, David, Cody and Darby and their
families.
~CENTVRIO EQVITVM and his loved ones
~Reagan's Mom's brother -in-law Dave
~Judith Anne's friend Deana's son
~Judith Anne's daughter-in-law's two brothers
~AFPhys
~AFPhys' friend C.M.
~olliemb's two young patients now serving
~Patsor Mike's brother Tom and friend Kevin
~Char and Dale's son Dean
~Cindy's stepson Adam
~Jim and Terri's son Matt
~Joy's son Michael
~Kay and Don's son-in-law Stephan
~Jan's nephew Michael
~patriciaruth's cousin Ed
~Marvin and Carolyn's sons Alan and Andrew
~TigerCap's coworker Kevin
~JimRob-Two Nephews
~MozartLover-nephew
~G'nad-active duty
~Trish-active duty
~deadhead-cousin
~Armymarinemom-three sons
~WaterDragon-Son-in-law, grandson
~Maigrey-cousin
~ladtx-two sons
~Mama_Bear-nephew
~SKI Thurman-active duty
~David Osborne-active duty
~Boxerblues'-two sons and SGT Erik with the 101st somewhere in the desert.
~the piper-son
~sheeza-husband
~Diver Dave-niece
~weldgophardline-brother-in-law
~Future Snake Eater-cousin
~Warrior Nurse-active duty
~SpookBrat-nephew
~Consort-2 daughters
~big easy-a friend whose husband is a major(air ranger, delta force) would
like our prayers.
~amom-FReeper fc2tomschermuly who says " God willing, we'll all come home
safe and sound."
~ladyinred-Eric Ludwick and Scott Ludwick brothers and both deployed. Sons
of a lifelong friend. They have a sister, Pamela who is also enlisted Army
recently.
~bell-Sgt. Jason Beach, Joshua George USMC , Daniel Bristow USMC
~maranatha-General Franks and Don Rumsfeld,
~NRA2BFree-Major Peter Horn US Special Forces, LCPL Jonathan Marquez USMC,
CPL Antonio Martin USMC
~GilesB-namesake Pfc Gyles, stationed in South Korea,
~armymarinemom-Spc. Brad-Army in Kuwait and active duty. Pfc Stuart-Army and
Sgt. Graham-USMC.
~BeforeISleep-my son-Marines
~.30Carbine-Jim Ferry, Vermont Army National Guard, Chemical Weapons Defense
Specialits/Trainer and his wife and 2 small children.
~AppyPappy-two adopted Marines from the next county who are in Kuwait.
~Lando Lincoln-remembering the gallant UK and Aussie troops who are at our
side.
~condi2008-our friends, Jimmy, Brian, Jon, Dustin and their families.
~Chong-Chris Kollhoff, nephew-to-be who is shipping out tonight for Iraq.
~Textide- Please pray for Wes, my cousin, a Marine Captain and now in
Kuwait just outside Baghdad with the 1st Marine Division.
~TEXOKIE- Niece, active army nurse still stateside. Niece's hubby, army,
deployed to Afghanistan, Niece's brother-in-law, active army, deployment
status unknown at this time
~Dubya-Royal Marine commandos
~twstearman-80+ crew of this itty, bitty ship I'm on. USS Devastator (MCM
6) home ported in Texas, is a mine countermeasures ship (i.e., mine
sweeper), been deployed since early January, and we have no idea when we're
going home. We all know now it's time to go to work.
~Dutchgirl - Norman Hamm USAFR and his mom and family. Hamms are old AF brat
buddies, all grown up.
~BeAllYouCanBe-My son Karl, a National Guard infantryman and part of 293
Infantry Regiment. He is 26 has a wife and 18 month old daughter and lived
in San Jose CA before last November when he was called up.
~Peach-my stepson - Steven Seaha, Master Sgt., Air National Guard, Jordan.
~Jaded- Matthew K. in the Navy
~Wild Irish Rogue- my brother,John-Special Forces, Airborne-deployed Mid
East.
~Southflanknorthpawsis- my son-in-law, USMC Staff Sergeant, Dan; currrently
in Kuwait.
~OhioWfan-Aaron, son of one of my students who is a Marine and has been
stationed on the Iraqi border. Andy, the boyfriend of another of my
students, involved in Psy Ops.
~weldgophardline-Merle ,in the Air Force Brother in law of weldgophardline.
All the troops.
~NYCop-SSgt. Rojas, currently deployed in Kuwait and awaiting Iraqi POW's,
he's a co-worker and friend
~KineticKitty-Master Seargent Jenkins, SSG John Burton , SPC Paul Dobiesz ,
SGT Freeman, SFC Lewis, LT Nelson, LT Ortez, SGT Call, SGT Rogers, PVT
Potao, SPC Morgan, PVT Surface, Master Seargent Wiley, Lt Col. McNeely, CPT
Love, CPT Vaught, SSG Fortney. Most of these soldiers are in various Units
with the 4th Infantry Division these are friends of mine and my husband
mostly from the Ft. Hood area.
~HiJinx-those who have chosen to take up arms against tyranny, keep them
safe, help them to accomplish their objectives, bring them home to their
loved ones
~NotJustAnotherPrettyFace-my nephew - paratrooper with the US Army
~glory-nephew Adam, is working patriot missiles in the Army. Hubby's best
buddy, Eric, who is in a refueling unit for the Air Force.
~DAVEY CROCKETT-Steve Countryman US Airforce, Josh Ray US Marines, Brad
Newman US Navy, Tex (my son buddy) US Navy
~baseballmom - asking for prayers for freeper Mystix, USMC
~Mrs.Liberty-nephew Sgt Charles Mapa, Jr. USAF C17-Crew chief.
~2ndIDVet- J.B. and B.G.
~jwalsh07-1st LT Brian Helsin Iraq, Ist LT Alex D'Amico Marines
~free kitty-close friend Barbara who just went in the Army.
~The Right Stuff- my penpal, Sadie from the USS Boxer.
~sakka- email friend, Rick, Navy USS Constellation and all the others on his
ship.
~baseballmom-my brother's brother-in-law, Chris, USAF, Blackhawk Pilot-Iraq.
"Lord, guard and guide the ones who fly,..."
~mountaineer-a friend's sone, Sgt Andrew J with the 101st Airborne in Iraq,
and another friend's son, Stephen M with the USAF somewhere in the Kuwait
area.
~UncleHambone-Jeff M and Steven L of the 3rd Marines.
~Valin-waitress at my favorite greasy spoon's nephew is over there. Marine
Cpl Mark Arnold .
~amom- co worker's boyfriend Cpl Pablo Gabriel Alarcon USMC Kuwait
~snickers via homeschool mama- Alexis Lankford, HHC 1-63 Armor 173rd
Ariborne Brigade, older daughter in Kuwait Heather (Lankford) Ballone 124th
Transportation Co, my son Clayton Lankford 2-118th Infantry.
~pollywog- grand-nephew SPC Jonathan Cook from Eagle Idaho in Kuwait
(probably in Iraq by now). He will be 21 on April 7th.
~TEXOKIE-SGT Elsa, USA, on the front lines in Iraq receiving prisoners of
war as they surrender; her brother CPT Mark, USA, at FT Benning, GA; her
boyfriend, CPT Nat, USA, 1st Cav at Ft. Hood, TX and her cousin SP Miranda
waiting for deployment at Ft. Sill, OK.
~SAMWolf- Karl, BeAllYouCanBe's son, entered Iraq on Tuesday (25 Mar 03)
Infantryman National Guard in support of the 101ST Airborne Division.
~Xenalyte-Daniel Osborne, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1-43rd out of Ft.
Riley, Kansas friend of a friend. Danny Oz, special ops, son of a friend
and colleague.
~judicial meanz- the men and women of the 29th ID, and the Virginia Guard
all over the world.
~dandelion-PFC Valentine Leyva, 3rd Battalion, 1st Division in the Marines.
He is a friend of my daughter
~Smocker-my TWO brothers, both sent overseas
~repubmom-Wendy's son Chris, a marine on the front lines. A prayer for
Wendy too who is home with two daughters and shouldering this by herself.
~TEXOKIE-Matt S. Army
FrogMom has given us a FoxNews page link on which those who have been captured or MIA are listed. Thank you so much for bringing this to us, FM!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,82434,00.html Following is today's update:
Monday, April 07, 2003
The following American military personnel have either been captured or are missing during Operation Iraqi Freedom as of 3:45 p.m. EDT Monday:
DUTY STATUS WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
March 23:
Army Sgt. Edward J. Anguiano, 24, of Brownsville, Texas. Missing after his convoy was ambushed in Iraq. Assigned to the 3rd Combat Support Battalion out of Fort Stewart, Ga.
Marine Sgt. Fernando Padilla-Ramirez, 26, of Yuma, Ariz. Last seen while conducting convoy operations in the vicinity of Nasiriyah. Assigned to the Marine Wing Support Squadron-371, Marine Wing Support Group-37, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.
Marine Sgt. Brendon Reiss, 23, of Casper, Wyo. Missing; circumstances and details unknown
— Marines missing after being engaged in operations in the outskirts of Nasiriyah in Iraq:
Marine Pfc. Tamario D. Burkett, 21, of Buffalo, N.Y. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom A. Chanawongse, 22, of Waterford, Conn. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Lance Cpl. Donald J. Cline, Jr., 21, of Washoe, Nev. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Pvt. Jonathan L. Gifford, 30, of Decatur, Ill. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Pvt. Nolen R. Hutchings, 19, of Boiling Springs, S.C. Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
PRISONERS OF WAR
March 24:
— Apache pilots, captured after helicopter downed during a mission:
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ronald D. Young, Jr., 26, of Lithia Springs, Ga.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David S. Williams, 30, of Orlando, Fla.
March 23:
— Members of the 507th Maintenance Company stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, captured after Iraqi forces ambushed an Army supply convoy around Nasiriyah:
Army Spc. Edgar Hernandez, 21, of Mission, Texas, 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Spc. Joseph Hudson, 23, of Alamogordo, N.M., 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Spc. Shoshana Johnson, 30, of Fort Bliss, Texas, 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Pfc. Patrick Miller, 23, of Park City, Kan., 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army Sgt. James Riley, 31, of Pennsauken, N.J., 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.
Our Father in Heaven,
We are still holding vigil together as we witness the historical events unfolding which our magnificent young people in the US and coalition troops are accomplishing by your grace.
We are seeing Baghdad being overrun. Some of the palaces have been entered. Airports are being taken. Military compounds containing suspicious chemicals are being examined. In some towns the Iraqi people are beginning to see the gentleness and desire of our troops to spare them and their property whenever it is possible. Some reporters have shown us images of little children shaking the hands and gathering around our soldiers and marines. We have seen our young men bearing arms on their way to secure the home of a religious leader. Towns people on the way, misunderstanding their intent began shouting and showing their displeasure at the encroachment on their holy site. We saw a quick thinking officer take command of the situation by ordering the troops to go on the knee and point their rifles to the ground until the local mullahs could speak to the people and clarify the situation. We praise and thank you Father for these incredible dedicated young people and for making possible these victories through them. Please continue to be with them to protect them as they continue in these critically dangerous days of battle.
We have seen the profound tragedy of accidents resulting in friendly fire casualties. We petition you Father to grant the families of these who have lost their lives your comfort. We pray that you will take our prayers and grant quickness, alertness, clarity, excellent communications and vision to all our airmen, marines, soldiers, and allies on the battlefield of land and air so that there may be no more such incidents.
While the actions taking place on our tv sets are largely giving us a view of the actions of those services based on land, we have not forgotten our sailors and coast guard. We may not be as intimately familiar with their actions, but we know that they are safeguarding the immediate oceanic boundaries of the area and continuing with their support fire and the launching of naval air sorties. Father, continue to be with each and every one of these precious sailors and coastguardmen. Protect them in their dangerous jobs and let them know in their hearts how much we love them and hold them in high regard.
We pray, Father, now that we are on the cusp of Victory, that you will seal that Victory which the blood and efforts of our young people are purchasing. Father, we claim that Victory from your courts in Heaven and we demand in the name of your Son and all that is Good and Righteous, that nothing will be allowed to besmirch or take that Victory away. Father, send your legions to those dark forces who mutter and peep and would snatch defeat from the jaws of Victory. In your name, and in the name of your Christ,we ask that you will judge your righteous judgments upon them so that they may not interfere with the outworking of your divine plan for this nation, the nations of our allies, the nation of Iraq, and the entire Middle East region.
We ask that you will be the arbitrator in all talks and discussions between our President and Tony Blair and all world leaders as they all make adjustments to the changes in Iraq which our victory in battle has caused. We ask that you will overshadow and cut free those who are eventually going to be the new leadership of a free Iraq. We have heard many predictions of chaos and confusion; that the Iraqis will not be able to govern themselves; that there will be interference from many others in that region. Our Father, we ask that you will raise up strong leadership which will be mindful to serve the people and not themselves. We ask that you will cause the interference to be dissipated and rendered ineffective. We are grateful that your Hand is indeed molding events, and by our prayers, we are voting that it be so.
We continue to pray for all our troops everywhere, including Afghanistan, Japan, and elsewhere. There are some who have reported that the hardcore terrorists still residing in other nations are planning to hit America and/or her allies as revenge for events in Iraq. Father, we ask that you will place a curtain of light over any location which has become a target. Place your all-seeing eye upon those who are making such plans, and expose them in a timely fashion to the proper authorities. We ask that those who are of the Saddam Hussein regime also be pointed out as quickly as possible so that the Iraqi citizens who have been held by them are no longer threatened. We are grateful for the ones you have already placed in our hands. We are grateful for your intercession.
We are grateful for all the things which we were afraid would happen which did not. We praise you and thank you for lives of our soldiers which have been saved which might not have been saved, but for your intercession. We praise and thank you for the miraculous technology which you granted our nation and her allies so that property and lives could be spared.
Father, we see the horizon of Victory, but we are not there yet. We yet hold the vigil, and offer our prayers for that Victory to be made manifest. Let our prayers and petitions be done only according to thy will, which is always Good.
Amen.
