Posted on 04/22/2003 11:34:19 AM PDT by TEXOKIE
We are on bended knee in our circle praying for our coalition troops and for the security of free nations everywhere as we witness various news developments. We have seen our forces gather up some of the most wanted Iraqi criminals. We have seen the continuing effects of resistance in Afghanistan, for we have lost another precious American hero to that conflict. We have seen actions and policy decisions being made by Iraq's neighbors Syria and Iran. We are witnessing a continuation of blackmail attempts on the part of North Korea. One of our prayer warriors here has brought to our attention the missing CIA agents in Columbia. We are seeing our President placing his attention on domestic concerns midst the challenges of the foreign policy issues before him.
Father, we place all of these issues and areas of concern on the altar for your adjudication. Bring forth to our coalition forces the information which will allow us to gather up or account for all of the Iraqi war criminals. Bring forth the information which will give loved ones in Iraq, Kuwait, and the coalition nations a full accounting for all the people missing from the darkness of the Saddam Hussein years. Move these ones designated on the most wanted cards who have been gathered up to cooperate with revealing the information they have.
Father, we ask that you will continue to place your attention on the events unfolding in Afghanistan. Intercede there for the safety of our troops. We commend the young man who lost his life there in the last few days into your care and keeping. Comfort in deep ways beyond our understanding the loved ones he has left behind. Please raise them and all who have lost their loved ones to defending freedom with our prayers and your love.
Intercede in the halls of government there in Afghanistan and Iraq, and indeed the entire Arab world. Grant the people there a vision of the skills and tolerance of heart which will make a representative form of government work for them. Strip from them, according to thy will, the tribal mindset, the us versus them mentality, the continuation of grudges and slights out of blind habit, and the deadly momentums of religious intolerance. Intercede in Syria and Iran. Let the people and the governments of those nations feel the fresh winds of freedom and bow humbly before the God which grants it, whether they worship in temple, church, or mosque. Enter into Iran on and before July 9, 2003* and work your will for the general strike for which students there are calling. Father, let the Iranian people peacefully be able to move toward a representative form of government according to your will and timing. Take command of Syria and Lebanon and Israel, Our Father! Let only your will be done concerning any and all plans to bring peace to the Palestinian issue.
Father, we see disturbing actions and words on the part of the North Korean leader. We ask that you will intercede in that entire situation. Grant our President and State and Defense Departments and all the regional leaders affected by North Korea's behavior the wisdom to deal with this threat quickly and effectively. If the North Korean leadership has a nuclear weapon and the intent to use it, we ask that you will send your angels to somehow defuse it or mitigate the damage it could cause. Above all, we ask for your hand to be placed over all the actors in this particular drama so that such a bomb can and will never be used in anger in this way against free and innocent people.
A plane with 4 Americans and 1 Columbian went down in February and the Columbian and 1 American were found dead and the other 3 Americans are reported missing. Father, while these Americans to our knowledge were not uniformed troops, they are nevertheless agents doing work for our nation by all accounts, and are precious to us. Father, please intercede in this situation and help us find these missing Americans. Bless their families who are wondering what has become of them. We realize there have been over the years other Americans working out of the public eye, missing from central and south America and other parts of the world. Please help these to be found or accounted for so that their families may have peace. We ask that any who have been killed will be comforted and blessed by you, and that you will convey directly to their hearts our gratitude for their sacrifice, even though we may not know of it in our outer minds. For any who remain alive and captive, please grant them strength to hold on until rescue. And please grant them a speedy rescue. We ask that you will place your all seeing eye upon them and protect them and reveal to our leaders and those in charge of seeking them, their locations. Overshadow any and all rescue plans and operations. We do not take lightly the service of these brave Americans, and we vote with our prayers that they may be restored to us, by thy grace and according to thy will. We do not forget their families and loved ones. Grant them all comfort and peace, and according to thy will, the return of their missing loved ones.
Father, grant this President and all of our leadership the wisdom to do your will for this nation's economy. Grant our people the vision and grace to participate in the debate about the best approach to healing the economy. Guide all of us into a wise use of the abundance you have given each of us individually. Grant our leaders the wisdom and grace to use the abundance of our nation's money and resources wisely, in accordance to your own will and Plan. We earnestly ask that you will clearly reveal that Plan to all of our leaders and our people so that there is a truly a unified consensus.
There are many other domestic issues which are before our leaders and people this day. We ask that you will take the prayers from our hearts as we ponder those issues for which we each have concern and take those prayers and multiply them by the power of all of us who are asking for your guidance on these issues. We ask that only your will should be done in any of these myriad issues and problems facing this nation and her people. We are grateful that we have the opportunity to gather here so that our prayers together can be multiplied on your altar. We know that together we hold perspectives and knowledge of issues which are different from others in our circle, and this is one of our strengths! For example, how awesome it is that someone might be praying for your will to be done in the issue of abortion, while another may be praying for your will to be done concerning the issue of the second amendment. And another might be praying for other burning issues which others in the group may not be aware of as being even on the burner....but together, placing these concerns on the altar do truly magnetize tremendous grace from your heart, for when they are placed on the altar together, we are praying for all. How glorious is our God, and how we do praise thee for thy works!
Father, we are grateful for our troops, wherever they are across the face of the earth. We are grateful for those who have come home safely. We are grateful for those who yet remain in harm's way. Bless all of them and we lift them up to you. Let only your will be done in all which we ask, and accept our gratitude for your many blessings and graces you have granted us.
Amen
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*For more information on the July 9 in Iran event referred to above, please see this thread: General Strike Set [July 9] in Iran In Bid To Topple Mullahs
HUGS!!
We went away for Easter and I had meant to wish ALL a Happy Easter, I hope a belated wish will do.
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