Iraqi Election Prayer Request

I received the following in an email yesterday from a Church pal of mine. It purports to be an open request from a chaplain attached to a transportation battalion stationed in Iraq for prayer for the upcoming elections (and the safety of our troops supporting them). A little checking around the 'sphere showed that Blackfive posted it the other day, as have a number of other folks. Among them, Murdoc got a comment from someone claiming the original request was sent to a certain Rev. Mackay of the GodBlog, who supposedly knows the author personally. (That information also is contained in a comment by the same person to the GodBlog posting of the request, although there does not appear to be any other confirmation at that site. Snopes is still checking out the original author. They've got as far as determining that there is a person by this name serving with this particular battalion, but they've been unable to contact him yet.

I chewed on this overnight and decided to post it anyway. I'm sorry to seem a bit dubious, but all of us have had experiences of bogus postings and emails. On the other hand, this isn't "fake but accurate" territory where someone is being accused of wrongdoing, nor is it another request from an ex-Nigerian Treasury Official to help him smuggle assets out of Africa. Rather, it's just a good idea to think about, regardless of its source. Given that, here it is:

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,
v/r

Lyle

CH (CPT) Lyle Shackelford
Battalion Chaplain
HHD, 57th Transportation Battalion
Providing With Mobility
"Keep Em Moving"

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

-Joshua 1:9