Our warriors are engaged in battle against a grave evil far away in Afghanistan.  By air, land and sea they have assembled to wage war against an intractable and wicked enemy who shows neither mercy nor concern for the innocent.

You are the God who carries the ensign before the [...]]]> Heavenly Father, hear the prayer of your servant.

Our warriors are engaged in battle against a grave evil far away in Afghanistan.  By air, land and sea they have assembled to wage war against an intractable and wicked enemy who shows neither mercy nor concern for the innocent.

You are the God who carries the ensign before the righteous.  Go before our warriors, Lord of heaven.  Let those who would do evil in your sight fall before you.  Protect the innocent from harm.  Confound the wicked so that their end would come swiftly.

You know Lord the hazards and trials our men and women will face.  Strengthen them and give them courage in the awful hour when they are called upon to fight.  I ask your grace upon our soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors so that they may act with honor and in accordance with your will.

Father I ask your grace upon our fighting men and women in the hardships to come.

I pray God that peace would come soon.  You are the God that heals, and I ask that your gracious hand will come upon the battlefield when conflict ends.  Restore the land of Afghanistan.  Bring  peace between brothers at war’s end.

Watch over the families at home.  Our loved ones are never far from our thoughts as they serve overseas.  Give us strength and wisdom in the long days ahead when our friends and family are in harm’s way. I pray that your Spirit of All Comfort would be with the families of those who fall in your service.  I ask for grace for the fallen and that they would find peace and comfort in your holy kingdom.

Finally Father, make us all wise so that the sacrifices of the quick and the dead are not in vain, that your good work would prevail and that this nation would be protected and be a beacon of Your Grace to all the world.

I ask this humbly Father, on the authority of Your Son Jesus Christ.  In His name let it be so.

Dec, 1, 2009 - Statement of Ed Martin on President Obama’s Afghanistan Speech (Acrobat)