Posted on 03/19/2004 12:51:59 PM PST by TEXOKIE
THREE CHEERS FOR OUR WONDERFUL TROOPS, THEIR ALLIES, AND ALL WHO ARE SERVING IN SUPPORT CAPACITIES IN THE WAR ON TERROR! YOU HAVE GIVEN THIS NATION A YEAR OF VICTORY IN THAT WAR! The honor is yours, but know that we bask in your accomplishments and love you for your steadfast service on this day!
Welcome, everyone to the 10th Troop Prayer Thread! Today is the anniversary of the resumption of hostilities with Iraq, wherein our troops have made military history that shall ring down the centuries.
The troop prayer threads are dedicated to giving our troops, allies, and all who are serving the Holy Cause of Freedom, including (but not limited to) the families and loved ones waiting at home and those who are not in uniform but who are serving in dangerous situations supporting our troops and gathering intelligence spiritual support. We seek together to offer prayer, scriptures, encouraging messages, and other devotions dedicated to this purpose.
We have over the past year gathered together a prayer list of these servants of freedom. You will find it posted below. FReeper amom has been serving as our List Keeper this past year and I wish to thank and commend her for doing such a meticulous job of keeping it updated. She has also been keeping our ping list up to date. If you wish to submit a name for the prayer list or to add or take off a name from the ping list, please let either or both of us know.
For those of us who have somewhat limited computer capacity, or still have phone modems, 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.
Thank you so much for spiritually supporting our troops, allies, support civilians, and their families.
We are grateful to God that for those who have been injured or taken back Home, He has dispatched angels to their care.
To view the previous prayer threads, use these links:
Troop Prayer Thread 9:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1031704/posts
Troop Prayer Thread 8:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/994696/posts?page=451,50
Troop Prayer Thread 7:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/973786/posts
Troop Prayer Thread 6:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/917197/posts?page=301,50
Troop Prayer Thread 5:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/898097/posts
Troop Prayer Thread 4:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/879044/posts
Troop Prayer Thread 3:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/873600/posts?page=151,50
Troop Prayer Thread 2:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/870136/posts
Troop Prayer Thread 1:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/863153/posts
For those who wish to pay their respects and honor our Fallen Heroes, please visit this thread:
Names,Stories, and Pictures of Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/872330/posts?q=1&&page=601
Dear Lord,
Lest I continue
My complacent way
Help me remember
Somewhere out there
A man died for me today
--As long as there be war
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?"
Taken from the book, "A Man Called Intrepid" by William Stevenson about William Stephenson, the head of British intelligence services prior to and during WWII. He wrote this at the very beginnings of the Battle of Britain and shared it with Eleanor Roosevelt.
STAR SPANGELED BANNER
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'T is the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
FRANCES SCOTT KEY
AMERICA, WE LOVE YOU!
AMERICA, WE LOVE YOU!
AMERICA, WE LOVE YOU!
AND OUR LOVE IS GREAT ENOUGH TO HOLD YOU ETERNALLY VICTORIOUS IN THE LIGHT!
Thanks for another great post, The Mayor!
Thank you for the prayer request, Calpernia. Thank you for leading us in prayer, Ragtime Cowgirl. Thank you also for letting us know about "FRiend in Afghanistan."
PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP!!!!
Ragtime Cowgirl has posted a thread with great info on the brave souls who are serving to support our troops and war effort overseas in private service companies. Please put on your hiking boots and see what these heroes are doing in our behalf "over there."
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1208517/posts
Please join in prayer for our fellow Freeper "Friend in Afghanistan" and our nation in her upcoming elections.
BELOVED HEAVENLY FATHER,
We are placing on the altar this day our love and concern for one of our own Freepers, known to us as "Friend in Afghanistan." It is our understanding that this one will be involved in working to ensure safe and just elections in that country. Father, these are the very basics and fundamentals in the practice of self-government and Freedom. Help them to lay down a solid foundation which will unfold and bless that nation for many years to come. Let the preparations for this process in Iraq also be protected and guided. We ask that you will overshadow Friend in Afghanistan and all his colleagues and all our troops and allies to the end that the upcoming Afghani elections and those of any other free nation will be truly victorious.
We ask that you will wrap Friend in one of our prayer blankets, with all the rays of your divine majesty. Let abundant portions of love, protection, courage, wisdom, discipline, truth, health, service, and mercy be dispensed to him according to the need of the hour. Let the Full Armor of God be upon him at all times.
We ask that all who are his family and friends holding vigil for him until his return will be granted the grace of peace and faith that all IS truly well with him because he is securely wrapped in your own hands and heart.
This which we call forth for our Friend in Afghanistan, we call forth for all who are serving alongside our troops in service and support functions. Guide the leadership of their companies. Guide the leadership of our troops who interact with them. Guide all the ones who are our 'boots on the ground.' Protect them all.
We place before you the entire situation of our electoral process. The energies swirling throughout the nation in races at all levels and in all states are becoming so fierce. Father, we petition you for your intercession. Take complete command of the entire process. Bring to the nation's attention ONLY your choice of issues to be addressed. Bring victory ONLY to your choice of who should be holding office in the next cycle. Shatter any and all efforts to commit vote fraud, manipulate, or attack our system in any way whatsoever. We are aware that our enemy seeks to strike us in order to change the American heart. Father, we beseech you to send your legions of Angels, and the legions of our Savior into the fray to foil all plans and attempts to tamper with this holy process of self government.
It has been stated by several of our respected statesmen that our future truly hangs in the balance. Father, we vote this day and often in the days to come with our prayers that all will unfold in the manner of your own design and Purpose. We commend our nation and her future into your hands, for you are our court of last resort. Guide each of us as to what tasks you would have us perform each day before the election in order to achieve that end.
Our news media have informed us that we have lost 999 precious Americans in the Holy Cause of Freedom. Father, bless the souls of these, your best servants. Bless their families and loved ones and guide them in their grief. Father, above all, let not these heroes have given their lives in vain. Let these elections, both those of the newly freed as well as our own, be clearly seen in their light of victory and majesty, as being the gift of your hands through the hearts of those who gave up their lives in our defense.
We are grateful that you hear our prayers, for you are our very own loving Father as well as the All-Powerful Deity. Let only your own Will be done.
Amen
Thank you for the thank you.
Please add a special prayer of some sorts. I know a few uncomfortable things that show we need something until election day. And themsome...but I will add on from there.
Just pray REAL HARD for now.
I join in prayer for our heroes and their loved ones!
Thank You Calpernia!
Prayers going out everyday!
Read: Luke 13:1-5
Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners? —Luke 13:2
Bible In One Year: Proverbs 3-5; 2 Corinthians 1
A husband and wife were killed when their car was struck by a drunk driver. Why did this happen? They were good people, active in their church, and dearly loved. They were in no way at fault, and we can't blame God for the other driver getting drunk.
Some people would blame the devil. Yet we must recognize the fact that an intoxicated driver who loses control of his car is likely to kill someone.
Jesus referred to two tragedies that occurred in His day. In one, Pilate had killed some Galileans and mixed their blood with their sacrifices (Luke 13:1). In the other, 18 Israelites died when a tower fell on them (v.4). The idea was that people who died like that must have been guilty of horrendous sins.
Jesus rejected that kind of thinking. He told His hearers that instead of trying to find someone to blame, they should see such events as a call to repentance. If they willfully rejected Him as their Messiah and persisted in that sin, they would face a fearful end.
When we hear of inexplicable tragedies, let's be content to leave the "why" question unanswered. Assured of God's love (Romans 8:39), let's look at these events as a time for self-examination and repentance. —Herb Vander Lugt
Life's tragedies are a call to reflect and repent.
Amen!
Lists of POWs/MIAs/and BNR here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1209454/posts?page=166#166 through here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1209454/posts?page=173#173
Please add to your prayers.
Prayer bump!!
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PRAYER WARRIORS:
I was communicating the other day with someone who has been feeling all kinds of despair about the attacks on President Bush, our society and schools, and so many other areas we are seeing under siege by rebellious elements in our culture. I pondered her message of despair; that we are losing and so forth. And these are some thoughts that came to me. After writing this for her, I thought that perhaps one or two of you out there might be hearing those inner ankle-biting gremlin voices as well.
I have been holding vigil here in my isolated place out here in the Oklahoma Plains. I see the attacks upon the fabric of our society. In so many ways we seem to have lost ground. Yet, I feel very optimistic about things. I just dont feel like we are losing. I feel like God is having some major victories for light. God is definitely with us and America, and there are so many people praying for her.
Yes, America and her Mission is under attack and it is fierce, but I feel so encouraged at the assets we have on our side. First and always, we have our beloved Father, God. We have a President who openly acknowledges that he prays and seeks spiritual councel from the Lord. We have Keepers of the Flame of Liberty (in the words of Ronald Reagan) who are stout and staunch and who are praying daily for our troops and America. We have millions of Christians and Jews out there who are praying for God to keep America safe. We have exceptionally fine young people who heard the call to duty and have gone to Afghanistan and Iraq in our name, taken the war to the terrorists, and liberated 50 million oppressed people in the process. A vast majority of those people, as reported to us by these young liberators, (certainly not by the main stream media!), appreciate and love America now. They are on the very eve of having their own self governing bodies in place. We have veterans who love America and Honor, who are holding a certain intensity of flame for her by their actions in exposing the truth and the lies about one who wishes to be President, but who seems to be falling very short on prerequisites for the job. We also have, as past indicators of God's interest in America, the miraculous outcome of the 2000 election. We are seeing a crumbling in the control by the main stream media of the flow of information to the American people, in large part because of actions by those involved in the alternative media.
We are truly living in a time of great possibility to witness and be part of some mighty Victories from God. The darkness and attacks are intense, but I truly believe we are winning. We cannot lose if we will daily ask God what He wants us to do for Him this day. There is much to do, and the laborers are few, but when we say, "here I am, Lord, send me," we can truly see that one united with God becomes a majority.
NEVER GIVE UP. NEVER NEVER NEVER!
We will never forget. We will never forgive. And we will never surrender.
Hearts and minds will be changed, one person at a time, and our prayers continue for our country and our beloved troops.
Thanks
Prayer bump, TEXOKIE!!!!
Thanks for the prayer bump, Ms Feather! Hope all is well with you and yours! Have you heard anything from that young trooper friend you met in the airport? Sanchez? Is all well with him?
I am fine thanks. Fall has arrived in NY. Warm days and very cool nights. I saw the stars last night for the first time in months. It has been so overcast here with rain most of the Summer.
Alas, Tex I tried several times to locate him at Fort Drum and was not successful. I have remembered him in prayer where ever he may be.
PRAYER WARRIOR FIELD TRIP!!
Put on your boots and your tool belts and come over here to see what our kids in uniform are doing to transform the landscape of Iraq! Our magnificent SEABEES are teaching Iraqi younsters in the construction arts and are ALSO providing tools! These troops are following the admonition to 'teach someone to fish and they will feed themselves.'
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1213180/posts
Glad you are having a nice fall. I went for a walk the other evening, and the stars were stunning! (Should I say stuning??? LOL!)
Sorry you have lost touch with our young friend. It can certainly happen. I join you in prayers for him and all our young troops.
Thank you. Having been at the convention, I came back feeling so positive and elated. With the latest attacks, I can't believe the American people won't see right through these silly games the libs and Kerry are playing.
We must continue to pray that Kerry's anti-Americanism throughout his Senate career will be exposed. Senator Zell Miller is a HUGH (I couldn't resist) asset in this regard.
HI Ms D!!!
How was your trip!? Sounds like you had a wonderful time there in NYC at the convention! Have you posted a report yet? If you have, please give a link here. If you have not, please let us have the scoop on what you experienced! We want the blow-by-blow, girlfriend!!
You are right. There is much to do, and we must remain vigilant. We must also pray for a HUGH (I couldnt resist either!) W voter turnout. The ones turning out for Kerry are real maroons! I'm series!!
God bless our W and God bless true statesmen like Zell Miller.
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