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This was copied off the Presidentail Prayer Team web-site:

"President Cites the "Power of Prayer" in POW Safety

Returning from Camp David on Sunday, President Bush was asked after getting off the helicopter what role faith and prayer had in the rescue of the POWs and in comforting their families. He said, "A lot of them told me they had been sustained by prayer, been comforted by the Almighty during what had to have been very difficult times. They told me that they felt their prayers had been answered. Prayer is powerful."

According to the Washington Times, "Family members had told Mr. Bush that they relied on prayer to bring about the safe return of their loved ones."

The President's words, "Prayer is powerful," were echoed by many of the families of the POW's released on Palm Sunday. David Williams, Sr., father of Apache helicopter pilot David Williams, Jr. said, "I let God and the Army work together to bring my son home...(our) prayers have been answered."

Kaye Young, mother of POW Ronald Young, Jr., said she was comforted early on by the belief that, "If prayer can bring him home, he'll be here. And it did!" How refreshing to see so many people attributing the quick war and few American fatalities to prayer. Prayer truly is powerful!"

There was also a new patriotic song that has been released named 'I Thank You' (Salute To The Troops) by popular Christian recording artist Rebecca St. James.

Click on the pic

I am sure the liberal media is aghast at all these references to prayer by the president and by so many servicemen and women and their families.

And can you even fathom Les Aspin having "Have You Forgotten" sung in a ceremony at DOD?

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld introduces country and western entertainer Darryl Worley (news), right, on stage prior to Worley's performance in a concert to support the troops in Iraq (news - web sites) in the Pentagon (news - web sites) courtyard Wednesday, April 16, 2003. The event was televised to U. S. troops around the world. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

PRAYER PATHS CROSSINGS

There were tears in his eyes—worry tears, concerned tears.

“So how are things?” I asked, curious as to why Ken was not his usual smiling face.

I had come to know Ken mornings when getting my coffee at Windham’s Wal-Mart. He is the cheery greeter who smiles at all the customers — even first thing in the morning!

Ken and I had come to know one another through those cliché exchanges which matured into a friendship sharing — little things and now — what’s with the tears?

“Was up all last night. Not a good night.”

I had first noted Ken years prior when visiting his Lakes Region church — not the one I pastor. It was one of those early Sunday morning excursions that I enjoy in summers when congregations have early worships. That means that I can slip into another’s service and still get back to my own worship later in the morning.

So it was that I saw Ken time and again as he kept watch from the near back of his sanctuary. He was one of the core group — faithful and true.

But I had never dreamt that I would actually come to know the fellow — first name basis and all that. So it was that when I spied him working at Wal-Mart I recalled for him my slip-ins at his church during summers. He smiled when I told him that I always noted him paying particular attention to the sermons delivered.

However, now things were different. There was “trouble in the camp” — or at least at home base. Something was off kilter.

“What’s going on, Ken?” I asked.

“Ellen is having a lot of pain. She’s going in for surgery on Thursday. Cancer.”

The dreaded C word. Wouldn’t you know it? Poor Ken. Poor Ellen. My heart went out to them immediately. How interesting that I was now moving into two hearts that before I had barely known. How comforting that pain shared between friends bonds the friendship all the more.

“Pastor has been over to the house. We had prayer together. Then I told him that you and I meet every morning here. And how I have come to know you. He said that he knew you, too.”

I chuckled to myself, realizing that the good pastor and I know one another at a distance — clergy in the same community — though I had never had the chance to really know the man intimately. However, maybe some day I will, hopefully.

“He is such a good pastor. Always there,” Ken added.

“Be assured that our church will be praying for you and Ellen, Ken. You know that, don’t you? You have prayer friends with us as well. We are standing alongside you in all this. God will oversee. Our faith will see to it. Okay?”

“Okay,” he answered. The tears lingered. I felt so sorry for the two of them as I left the store.

The next day and the next day Ken was not at the store. He was tending his wife’s situation, naturally.

Then came the morning when Ken was at his post once more.

“And how are things?” I inquired.

“She came through surgery. Pastor was with us throughout. They say that the next step is chemo. Ellen says she’s going to live into her 90s. We’re keeping the faith!”

Tears again. But this time, tears of thanksgiving and hope.

What a privilege it is to make cross prayer paths with friends as we go along life’s way.

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J. Grant Swank, Jr., Pastor, New Hope Church, Windham ME