Posted on 01/26/2005 4:46:56 AM PST by JustaCowgirl
We invite and request your prayers every day this week for the Iraqi elections on Sunday. This is a pivotal event in World history, and a vitally important one for our country and administration as well. Please pray for the safety of all those, including our brave military, who are putting themselves at risk to make this election happen.
Pray for a huge turnout, and that Iraqi voters are kept safe from those who would intimidate and frighten in order to perpetuate their evil.
I feel absolutely certain that our President is praying about this event and for his brave soldiers daily. While he probably would not choose to call publicly for prayer, I feel that he would be overjoyed and strengthened to have Americans and people of faith all over the world join him in this.
Please pass this along to others that you know who would like to informally join us in this prayer vigil.
I've got the intention on our Parish Prayer list in this weekend's bulletin, so everyone attending Mass will see it.
With Your Righteous hand, Mighty God, place a hedge of protection around those who are protecting others ... seal off from harm all of the election locations ... hinder those who would disrupt, but allow safe passage for those who bravely come forth to vote. Stir up the people to exhibit national pride and determination, so much so that the media, and the world, cannot ignore the wonders of this moment. Greatly bless the leaders and the citizens of Iraq ... greatly bless our beloved sons and daughters who serve in Iraq ... greatly bless our beloved President who believes in Iraq. May Your Name be Praised, forever and ever, Amen ...
With Your Righteous hand, Mighty God, place a hedge of protection around those who are protecting others ... seal off from harm all of the election locations ... hinder those who would disrupt, but allow safe passage for those who bravely come forth to vote. Stir up the people to exhibit national pride and determination, so much so that the media, and the world, cannot ignore the wonders of this moment. Greatly bless the leaders and the citizens of Iraq ... greatly bless our beloved sons and daughters who serve in Iraq ... greatly bless our beloved President who believes in Iraq. May Your Name be Praised, forever and ever, Amen ...
Indeed
Thank you, SuziQ, and we join your parish in prayer for this important event.
Amen, Pegita. May the people of Iraq speak with a loud voice on Sunday, so that the whole world must hear and can no longer ignore the clarion call of liberty and freedom from tyranny.
JustaCowgirl, I've viewed the montage of the American Soldier in Iraq -
http://www.clermontyellow.accountsupport.com/flash/UntilThen.swf
- and was struck by how removed I've been from the war. Watching the montage made me cry...the despire, the weariness, the horror. The sacrifice. I've been remiss, I've been self-centered. I've taken them for granted, I suppose. I don't have any loved ones overseas fighting this war for me, so I don't feel the personal pain and anxiety.
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of the sacrifices these men and women are making. Forgive me my self-absorption. I am humbled.
Thank you, Lord, for the progress being made. I am grateful.
That's cool!
We remind everyone to carry this momentous election and those serving in harm's way in your thoughts and prayers continuously throughout this weekend. Pray without ceasing. Your prayers will join those of people of good will around the world.
Thank you, Lord, for the progress being made. I am grateful." Amen peacebaby.
Sending up prayers for the Lord's protection over all involved!
Amen and thank you for your prayer, Awestruck.
Father in heaven, You are the Author of liberty. We need you to make this clear to all because there are doubters, & sometimes they seem so strong! They attack us...they attack you, & sometimes we just want to give up!
It's easier to focus on the grocery list or other tasks at hand...the hobby, or movie we saw last night: anything to escape the ongoing negativism!
But that's not Your way! You challenge us to accept Your offer & gift of freedom, to use it wisely, nurturing it here in our families, around our beloved country, and even in far-off places like Iraq. No one is immune to its glorious call & so we ask you to strengthen us, fortify us. Give us the words & wisdom to deal with the naysayers & those who would undermine our faith.
In You is everything & all glory & Honor. Amen
Amen, Molly Pitcher, and thank you for your prayer.
We ask your continued prayers and thoughts for this election, as it will not come easy.
AUSTRALIAN Iraqis today expressed pride at being able to vote in their country's first democratic national elections.
Voting opened at nine polling centres in Sydney and Victoria at 7am (AEDT) today, making Australian Iraqis the first in the world to vote in the poll. More than 11,800 Iraqis in Australia are among 280,000 expatriates across the world who are expected to vote over the next three days.
Out-of-country polling closes at 5pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
Kassim Abood, a senior adviser to the out-of-country voting program, said it had been an exciting morning.
"I think a lot of Iraqis are very proud today. People coming to me, shake (my) hand, hug me, kissing me and tell me 'congratulations', it's wonderful," he told reporters outside the Fairfield polling centre in Sydney's south-west.
Centre manager Shimon Haddad was the first to vote and said he never thought he would see this day.
"I'm proud to vote for the election. We have been looking forward to this time (for the) last 50 years actually, so it's a very exciting day for Iraq citizens," he said.
"We call Australia home now, but as Iraqi origin we are proud to participate in this election and we hope and we pray that everything goes smooth back home ... and we get a democratic Iraq."
Praying.
Thank you for your prayers, Sockdologer.
A moment of silent prayer today for those serving in Iraq. Dear Lord, please watch over all those, both military and civilian, both American and Iraqi, who are doing their utmost to make the election safe. May the bloodshed cease and may freedom take root and grow.
Amen to your prayer, Veto!
And I add to your prayer a prayer for the safety of those brave men and women serving in the Coalition forces - English, Australian, Polish, Danish and others. May all contractors who labor to support our military and to rebuild a new Iraq be kept safe from harm in this perilous time.
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