Thank you for the best site on the web!
I really could use some insight and I pray by the grace of God, that you are able to offer some wisdom on prayer. My son who is with the 101st Airborne Division is leaving for his second deployment in Iraq. I am oppressed and depressed and it seems I do not know how to pray concerning his safety. My husband also served with the 101st Airborne Division and died in Viet Nam in 1966. When I try to pray I am bombarded by such awful memories and questions. My prayers for my son have become tears replacing words, as I do not know how to pray about this. Can you offer any advice? Thank you and may God continue to bless you in all you share with us.
It’s been said that those who are left behind require more strength and courage than those who go and fight.
You’re involved in a spiritual battle that’s every bit as real as the one your son is helping to fight in Iraq. The Bible gives you the weapons to fight with to assure your victory. 2 Cor. 10:3-5 says they have divine power to demolish strongholds. The stronghold you have to demolish is the fear that you’ll have to face another devastating personal loss.
Because the human mind can only process one thought at a time, fear and faith cannot exist in the same mind at the same time. The strongest one will always prevail. Your challenge is to make your faith stronger than your fear. Satan wants you to cower in fear, but if you resist him he’ll flee from you. (James 4:7-8) You can drive away those thoughts of fear by choosing to concentrate on the good things God has done for you when ever you feel afraid. (Phil. 4:4-9)
Make a list of all the times you can think of when He’s helped you through difficult times and keep it handy. Put Bible verses that have helped you on 3X5 cards and as you find more verses add them to the stack. Keep both these lists with you and read them every time you feel afraid. As unlikely as it sounds now, you will be able to achieve peace through this. It’s a promise from God.