Prayer Request From Iraq

[Hupernikomen]

(I can't verify the veracity for this request but I certainly agree with its content and send my prayers.)

From Captain Lyle Shackleford, a U.S. Army Chaplain in Iraq.

As a transportation battalion, my unit will be delivering the voting
machines and the ballots to villages and cities throughout Iraq during
the upcoming elections. (January 30/31)

Our convoys are prime targets for the insurgents because they do not
want the equipment to arrive at the polling stations nor do they want
the local Iraqi citizens to have the chance to vote; timely delivery
must occur so that the elections occur.

Encourage your friends and family members and those within our churches
to pray specifically for the electoral process.

Historically, the previous totalitarian regime would not allow
individual citizens to vote. Democracy will not be realized in Iraq if
intelligent and competent officials are not elected to those strategic
leadership positions within the emerging government; freedom will not
have an opportunity to ring throughout this country if the voting
process fails.

Announce this prayer request to your contacts throughout your churches,
neighborhoods, and places of business. Those with leadership roles
within the local church post this message in as many newsletters and
bulletins as possible.

There is unlimited potential for God's presence in this process but if
we do not pray then our enemy will prevail (See Ephesians 6:10-17).

A prayer vigil prior to the end of the month may be an innovative
opportunity for those within your sphere of influence to pray. This is
a
political battle that needs spiritual intervention.

A powerful story about God's intervention in the lives of David's
mighty
men is recorded in 2 Samuel 23:8-33. David and his warriors were
victorious because of God's intervention. We want to overcome those who
would stand in the way of freedom. David's mighty men triumphed over
incredible odds and stood their ground and were victorious over the
enemies of Israel. (Iraqi insurgents' vs God's praying people). They
don't stand a chance.

I will pray with my soldiers before they leave on their convoys and
move
outside our installation gates here at Tallil. My soldiers are at the
nerve center of the logistic operation to deliver the voting machines
and election ballots. They will be driving to and entering the arena of
the enemy. This is not a game for them it is a historical mission that
is extremely dangerous. No voting machines or ballots. No elections.

Your prayer support and God's intervention are needed to give democracy
a chance in this war torn country.

Thank you for reading this e-mail. Please give this e-mail a wide
dissemination.

Thank you for your prayer support for me and my family. Stand firm in
your battles.

Blessings,

Lyle Shackelford, Cpt.
Battalion Chaplain
HHD, 57th Transportation Battalion

[Ranger Mom]

They are in mine!!

God bless our troops!

[TOPS1435]

got the same posting from a different email source. We did pray for the troops, the people of Iraq, and the election in my church.

[Gilmer Buckeye]

I am glad that is over. It's bad enough that we had 24/7 coverage of the election campaign in this country for months on end. After November, I really thought I'd be spared any further electioneering. If we had to endure this much saturation coverage, they should have mailed us all a ballot so we could vote in it as well. We have a $200 billion investment in the outcome already.

For the last few days, it's been all about the Iraqi election. Here's a news flash for everyone: if your vote really mattered, you wouldn't be allowed to vote. The entire politicial system of "democracy" is rigged. And the truth of the matter is that there has not been a "democracy" since the 5th century B.C. when it was tried without success in the Greek city-state of Athens. Thank God for that. Democracy is "mob rule." Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. The U.S.A. was established as a constitutional republic. Those days are long gone. Both the Constitution and the republic have "left the building."

Elections, particularly at the federal level, are a sham to make us think we have some small influence over the corrupt powers who rule over us. We don't. Money talks, we vote and walk.

No one should shed his blood to preserve a sham election charade in any country. 99 American deaths in the last 31 days is not worth it to me, but your mileage may vary and all volunteered to die. If it makes their families feel better to think of this as some great cause, that's okay by me. I think they'd go insane if they didn't think that.

It would be ironic if the Iraqi election turned out to be more honestly conducted than those we have in this country. But I wouldn't make book on it.

The Bible clearly states that, until the Millennium arrives, the governments of the earth will be controlled by corrupt agents of Satan. I will attempt as best I can to steer clear of their minions. Christ said "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's." You cannot serve two masters. This obsession with elections borders on worship of the state.

I'm looking forward to the day when GW Bush cuts taxes down close enough to zero that the federal government collapses and we can return to peace and prosperity out here in the formerly sovereign states.