My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This day our nation mourns the loss of our brave young soldiers in Iraq, including those from Great Britain who are no less ours than those who were born here. The end of a young life is a terrible thing, and an even more terrible price to pay when it is given while fighting to deliver the blessings of liberty to those who hate us. Our barbaric enemy has captured some of our young warriors. We must pray without ceasing for their freedom. All of our courageous soldiers, whether in the enemy's hands or on the battlefield, are in need of God's whole armor.

O LORD, we pray Your protection for our troops. Set Your guardian angels to watch over, sustain, and protect them. Bless them with superabundant courage and faith. For those who are in the hands of the pagan barbarians, we pray that You will shield them from those who torment them. May each of our soldiers, those in captivity and those who are fighting, anchor their courage in You. May they fight bravely. May they resist their captors. May they show Your mercy to the enemy when mercy is warranted, and Your righteous anger when anger is necessary. Bring utter confusion upon the pagan barbarians and their supporters. May they be scattered in terror. May the irreversibly wicked among them be utterly destroyed. May our behavior on the battlefield and in victory show no weakness. When You deliver the enemy into our hands, open their eyes to our motives and Your incomparable mercy.

O LORD, You have taught us, "Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends." Give comfort to those who mourn the loss of their courageous loved ones who have died in the service of this nation. Let those who remain at home and in captivity find assurance in Your promises. Let them know that the loss we all have suffered is not in vain. Their loved ones and their companions in arms are risking and have given their lives for us and for an enemy who hates them. May You accept into Your presence those who have laid down their lives for their friends.

O LORD, expose the enemy among us. Open closed eyes and ears. Overwhelm our enemies with confusion, shame, and disgrace. May their motives and hypocrisy be exposed and their methods be despised. May our enemies and the fools who support and comfort them, mouthing their lies, be held in utter contempt. May those who attack us, who seek to divide us, who malign our motives, and who attempt to discourage us, those who support and give comfort to Your pagan enemies, be brought to justice.

O LORD, answer the prayers of Your servants and grant all of us wisdom. Give our leaders a blessing of insight that is far beyond their mere human ability. May they understand our enemies and expose their lies and deceptions. Unveil with Your inescapable light of truth the dark falsehoods, vile schemes, and devious distortions of reality that are concocted by those who oppose us, who seek to confuse us, and who work to divert our attention from our high purpose. Let no one but Your enemies be deceived and confused. May we not be deterred by any kind opposition, be it spiritual or the product of wicked men. May we always keep our eyes on Your prize. AMEN!!!