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Tuesday, July 3, 2007

With Prayers and Actions

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)

Couple of week’s ago as I was reading one of my friend’s Thankful Thursday posts, tears were streaming down my face. You see, she lives a life in the military—her husband is an officer in Okinawa, Japan. Many of her friend’s husbands are serving currently in Iraq. One of her close friends told her that she is moved to tears each night at 10pm her time because it means that God has given her another day with her husband in her life. The Casualty Officer (the one who comes to tell you if you husband has died) will not come after 10pm to bear the bad news.

Growing up as a daughter of a police officer I know what it means that your spouse/dad might not come home from a shift. I was very blessed that when my Sweetheart and I were engaged that there were no ‘active’ conflicts/wars. Although the threat of terrorist attacks was very real where my beloved was stationed, he was some what safe.

We all know someone who has a family member in the military (Laurel will write about it tomorrow in her post). As we are celebrating the 4th of July tomorrow here in the US, let us lift up our sisters (and brothers for that matter) in prayer who have a family member in Iraq or Afghanistan. Let us also pray for the men and women who are in combat.

In addition to that, I will donate one of our son’s old cell-phones to “Cell Phones for Soldiers”. The local Christian radio station that I am tuned into every day collects old cell phones to convert them into phone minutes for families to talk to each other while on active duty. If you have time, please follow the link above and see if there is a drop-off location in your neck of the woods. It is for a good cause.

Lord of Heaven and Earth. You have placed us in a country that is blessed with freedom. Lord, give us a heart to pray for the ones who are currently separated from their loved ones. Help us to see the need to reach out in prayer and let us help with actions if all possible. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.



You can also find me at my personal blog Sting My Heart

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11 Comments:

Blogger Kelli said...

Iris- the link doesn't seem to be working ... let me know and I'll hop over :)

July 3, 2007 at 3:41 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Amen to this, I will be praying for all of those serving in the military. Bless you Iris.

July 3, 2007 at 5:58 AM  
Blogger Connie Barris said...

We did this too at our church.. I think it's awesome...

Our family is military...

but just being a parent of a teenager... going to bed and waking up another night without a phone call is one more day given as a gift....

this was a precious post

July 3, 2007 at 8:11 AM  
Blogger Sharon Brumfield said...

I have nephew over in Iraq--this is a good reminder for me to remember to pray for his wife as well as him.

July 3, 2007 at 8:27 AM  
Blogger Terri | Sugar Free Glow said...

I bet we have a few old cell phones around here--thanks for the tip.

SO grateful for our military and their families!

July 3, 2007 at 9:08 AM  
Blogger Aunt Angie said...

As we are on the brink of our July 4th celebration...that is a timely post! What blessings we have, and take for granted very often.
Thanks for sharing that with us.
I second that prayer!
Blessings---Angie

July 3, 2007 at 11:07 AM  
Blogger Linda said...

Iris - I just love your tender, sensitive heart. It is so easy to listen to the news, hear the statistics and not really be touched if you don't have a family member serving. This is such a good reminder. I remember the days I was pregnant with our first child and my husband was in Vietnam. He was never off my mind, and I was always so worried about him.
Thank you for reminding us to lift them in prayer and to do something tangible to help them.

July 3, 2007 at 12:04 PM  
Blogger Amico Dio said...

I come from a military family too. My brother is a walking testimony of the hands of God in Iraq. Prayer is so powerful.

This is a wonderful post.

July 3, 2007 at 6:41 PM  
Blogger Alycia said...

Iris, this is a beautiful devotion for today. Thank you for sharing my friends story and turning it into a wonderul opportunity to pray for our military during this 4th of July. I passed the link to her and I know she will be blessed by what you have written. Have a wonderful 4th of July!!

July 3, 2007 at 9:13 PM  
Blogger Pearls of Wisdom said...

Beautiful thoughts , post and devotion. Thanks for the reminder I usually give my old phones to Domestic V. outreach but this would be so good also and I have an old phone of my DH as he just upgraded. You do such a wonderful job with you love , inspiration and posts.

Angel ():)

July 4, 2007 at 12:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Iris,

I can't imagine what that is like to watch the clock, wishing for it to move to tne. Oh, how this moves me to ask again for protection over our military. Thank you. Beautiful post!

July 5, 2007 at 5:05 PM  

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