Posted on 11/07/2004 6:31:21 AM PST by Gamecock
Marines turn to God ahead of anticipated Fallujah battle
NEAR FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov 6 (AFP) - With US forces massing outside Fallujah, 35 marines swayed to Christian rock music and asked Jesus Christ to protect them in what could be the biggest battle since American troops invaded Iraq last year.
Men with buzzcuts and clad in their camouflage waved their hands in the air, M-16 assault rifles laying beside them, and chanted heavy metal-flavoured lyrics in praise of Christ late Friday in a yellow-brick chapel.
They counted among thousands of troops surrounding the city of Fallujah, seeking solace as they awaited Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's decision on whether or not to invade Fallujah.
"You are the sovereign. You're name is holy. You are the pure spotless lamb," a female voice cried out on the loudspeakers as the marines clapped their hands and closed their eyes, reflecting on what lay ahead for them.
The US military, with many soldiers coming from the conservative American south and midwest, has deep Christian roots.
In times that fighting looms, many soldiers draw on their evangelical or born-again heritage to help them face the battle.
"It's always comforting. Church attendance is always up before the big push," said First Sergeant Miles Thatford.
"Sometimes, all you've got is God."
Between the service's electric guitar religious tunes, marines stepped up on the chapel's small stage and recited a verse of scripture, meant to fortify them for war.
One spoke of their Old Testament hero, a shepherd who would become Israel's king, battling the Philistines some 3,000 years ago.
"Thus David prevailed over the Philistines," the marine said, reading from scripture, and the marines shouted back "Hoorah, King David," using their signature grunt of approval.
The marines drew parallels from the verse with their present situation, where they perceive themselves as warriors fighting barbaric men opposed to all that is good in the world.
"Victory belongs to the Lord," another young marine read.
Their chaplain, named Horne, told the worshippers they were stationed outside Fallujah to bring the Iraqis "freedom from oppression, rape, torture and murder ... We ask you God to bless us in that effort."
The marines then lined up and their chaplain blessed them with holy oil to protect them.
"God's people would be annointed with oil," the chaplain said, as he lightly dabbed oil on the marines' foreheads.
The crowd then followed him outside their small auditorium for a baptism of about a half-dozen marines who had just found Christ.
The young men lined up and at least three of them stripped down to their shorts.
The three laid down in a rubber dinghy filled with water and the chaplain's assistant, Navy corpsman Richard Vaughn, plunged their heads beneath the surface.
Smiling, Vaughn baptised them "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."
Dripping wet, Corporal Keith Arguelles beamed after his baptism.
"I just wanted to make sure I did this before I headed into the fight," he said on the military base not far from the city of Fallujah.
I suggest that all you ever have is God.
God Bless them all. Keep them safe!
We're all praying....with a tear in our eye...because we know some will be lost. We thank them from the bottom of our heart. These terrorists have to be wiped out and the USA and its' allies are the only ones that will do it.
In agreement here at Lake Wateree on a glorious and brisk fall morning.
God, be with all the US troops and their allies in the days to come.
HABAKKUK 1:1-5
The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
2:2-4 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
2:20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
I have a lump in my throat now.
Rub it in... ;-)
And may God be with their families as they wait for news.
Teach them how to say the ROSARY ! Watch what happens. Give them all a RoSARY, dear God. Doesn't any one how important and how POWERFUL this form of prayer is ? The Rosary, the Rosary , they need to start praying the rosary. I can not stress this enough .
May God grant His wonderful grace and comfort to these brave fighting men and women. They make us all proud.
I pray, Abba, Father
send your Ruach haKodesh
to provide your shield to cover
our troops as they remove from
Babylon
the effects of the Evil One
I ask these things in the
Holy Name of Your Son
The Word of G-d:
Y’shua haMashiach
NAsbU 2 Samuel 22:3 My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence.
LORD give them Supernatural favor, Supernatural intelligence, Supernatural protection.
God bless each and every one of these brave soldiers. May his mighty right arm give them victory. May his wings of protection cover them. Praise the Lord!
In 1917 , Jesus sent His Holy Mother to tell the people to pray the rosary EVERYDAY. This happened in Fatima. Watch the movie.If Faith was enough why did He send Her? The facts will tell you how Powerful this form of prayer is ! Read up on it. You will see.
For more info on rosaries go to this same site and punch in 'rosaries" see what they say . Great info!
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