Your view: Pray first

Romans 8:28 says: "And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Subject: Pray before it starts.

A torch has been lit today to be passed along to your e-mail friends, asking them to pass it along, and along, and along. We can do something about the threat of war, both in Iraq and with terrorists. In the Old Testament, God's armies were always led by the priests.

When the waters parted in the Jordan, it was the priests' feet which first hit the turbulent river. In the New Testament, Christians are also referred to as priests, all Christians.

We must, therefore, go in first. As the possibility of war approaches with Hussein and Iraq, we are asking the priests to step in first, ahead of our military. Let us be setting up camp for our soldiers' entrance into the conflict. How? By prayer. Let us be sending in "prayer missiles," "cruise and scud prayers" to target enemy plans and "patriot prayers" to shoot down incoming threats.

We should be praying for two things:

(1) That the enemy leaders become confused, disoriented, and distrustful of each other; that their entire system of attack fall apart, and (2) that in God's wildest ways, these enemies would become aware of His deep love for them and the war Jesus has already fought for them, personally, on the cross.

God had Gideon reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 men. He then equipped them with nothing but trumpets, pitchers and torches.

What an odd combination to fight off well-armed soldiers. When Gideon gave the command, the Bible says the enemy fled, crying, and turned on each other - all because God messed with enemy plans.

Prayers were started for this about a month ago. On CNN last weekend, a report came out that although Hussein has nothing to lose, his generals do. Is confusion beginning to develop? Please pray for God to set the stage for defeat of all those who intend to do harm.

When our men and women of uniform arrive on the scene, may they be surprised at how God had camp set up before they ever got there.

Would you please do two things?

(1) pray, and (2) pass this along to those you know will pray. May we build an e-mail army of over a million in force, beginning with you. In everything, give thanks.

The Eldridges