Time for me to fly but first:
US 'will not free' Iraq scientist
Blindfolded hostage, thought to be Jack Hensley
Mr Hensley's death has not been formally confirmed
The US has dismissed reports from Iraq's justice ministry that one of two female scientists held in a US-run prison is to be released.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3680120.stm
Italy Links Bombing Suspects to al-Qaida
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040922/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_italy_terror_3
And ... "But as it is written ... 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.'" 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Between these two verses, O God, have been the unspeakable acts of the enemy against those who have gone forth for liberty and peace ... and the promise for those who enter glory in the love of the Lord.
So great is the horror, Merciful Father, that man visits upon humanity. His heart is sinful above all knowledge. His god is Satan. His reward is eternal damnation. Yet even the most wicked heart can be made clean by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Continue to do a mighty work in the nations of Afghanistan and Iraq, O God, that the Gospel may go forth into hearts in need of redemption. As You have done for us, we pray You will do so for these.
May it be, Creator God, that these hostages whose lives so cruelly have ended ... may they be in that realm where their eyes now see and their ears are hearing things unknown to us ... may they behold the Glory of the Living Christ. Shower their families with comfort from on high, for only You can touch the deepest anguish in their hearts.
Stir in us renewed, even fierce, determination that such evil will be wiped from the face of the earth. The enemy is roused to even greater wrath, for his time is short ... grant success to our mission, for it is just. Sweep away the appeasers and those with no appetite for victory, for they do the work of the enemy. Awaken Your people to the danger at hand ... by the Power of the Holy Spirit, we drive it back by commitment and prayer and the admonition to be "strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersover thou goest." Joshua 1:9.
There is no other but You, O Lord, who can win this battle. Lead us in victory, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray, Amen ...