Christian Photographers Community

Today I received an email from a friend, which included a copy of a prayer request from a chaplain in Iraq.  Please read and pray.

Subject: 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)


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

vernon.shackelford@adder.arfor.army.mil
vernon.lyle.shackelford@us.army.mil 833-1264


"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

Janice, I just found your post.  I've been gone for awhile.

Wasn't the news good today??  All those dear people braving the danger to be able to have a voice.  I was so moved to hear that around 72% voted.  That number may change, but I'm so glad there were few deaths.  I pray the chaplain and his soldiers were safe.

Yes, Nita, good news indeed!  Our pastor was just elated this morning about the turnout, and the relative safety of all those people risking danger in order to vote.  He gave a prayer of thanks for this. It is my understanding that some of those soldiers delivering the voting machines/ballots or whatever, had formerly been members of our church.  (We have a military base nearby).  That puts it mighty close to home.  I pray that this is just the beginning of victory for the Iraqi people over the insurgents and others determined to deter freedom.  And I hope the day our soldiers can come home is one day sooner now!

Oh my - I agree - and don't we westerners have a lot to be thankful for?  Many of us don't even bother to vote.....shame on us.
(I'm not speaking for mself on this matter.... my husband and I always vote.. its a priviledge that we should always do)

Thanks so much, Janice for putting this in here.

I posted but seems it disappeared.  I was up at my son's and posted from their computer. 

Yes, it was such a good day for the Iraq people. 

I was wondering if anyone saw the Iraqi woman's photo - the one where she is holding up two fingers, and one finger has the purple ink on it.

Wonderful photo., she has such a sweet expression on her face.

Thank You, Father, for enabling a large voter turnout and for providing safety!  Amen to the prayers of others here!  How great it is that this was all done in the very face of the oposition!  Also, it was in the very face of the "nay-sayers" here in our own country!

Janice--hello!  I have had a crazy couple of weeks, and just now read your request.  But in the midst of the turmoil of life here, I did pray about the Iraqi elections, if not specifically this request.  I would have done, had I seen it earlier.  But I am so thankful the elections went as smoothly as they did, and to see the happy people dancing and rejoicing in the street was really uplifting.

Now, if we could get the media to report the GOOD news for a change............