Let Freedom Reign

Today was a day that the nay-sayers and the doom-predictors claimed would never come. These same people will still tell you that today, the day where 60% of the Iraqi people voted freely for the first time in generations, today means nothing. 40% of the people didn't vote. Pessimists will always live amongst us. People who are always shaking their heads over a glass half empty instead of praising a glass half full. Over 50% of the people here in the United States weren't allowed to vote when our first elections were held. Although the voter turnout for our latest election here in the U.S. was higher then it has been in years, I'm not sure that we actually reached 60% in our voter turnout. I'm not sure if long lines at the polls compares to suicide bombers when it comes to voter disenfranchisement.

Every day since my daughter enlisted in the Marines, I've been reading a web board that was formed to support the parents, families, and friends of the men and women who are currently attending boot camp. These young men and women are training to earn the title of United States Marine. Do not doubt that everyone of us who visit this website struggle on a daily basis with the questions posed by the nay-sayers and the doom predictors. What cost freedom? Our sons and daughters answered this question for themselves before they made their decision to serve their country. One of the sections in that web board is a prayer section. Recently, a posting was added to that prayer section, a request from Iraq sent by a military chaplain. As optimistic as I am, I know that there probably will be more suicide attacks. I'm sharing this prayer request in my blog despite the fact that the voting boxes have all been delivered and the voting has taken place. The boxes need to be collected. The votes need to be counted. And even afterwards, when a new interim government has been elected in Iraq, our prayers must continue until our sons and daughters come home from wherever they are or will be stationed around the world.

Subject: Prayer request
Urgent Prayer for Chaplain Lyle Shackelford's troops 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 CH (CPT)