Jane Cook - Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan

We are desperate for you, Lord. America will never fully shine from atop that hill until your church experiences the freedom in Christ you intended. You came to set us free, yet we have bound ourselves to our own culture’s excesses and temptations. Forgive us, Lord, we come now in repentance and ask for your restoration.

“… A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

Father,

Remind us that liberty never travels without its companion sacrifice, and that sacrifice never travels without love. When we are tempted to forget the physical sacrifice America’s soldiers have made on our behalf, remind us that it was their blood that bought this nation its freedom. In the same way, remind us that it was the sacrifice of your blood that bought our spiritual freedom when your own son paid the ultimate price for our redemption…

And this you did because you loved us.

Lord, America’s soldiers have become some of our greatest teachers. They teach us the significance of duty, honor, and sacrifice. They show us how to persevere in the face of extreme trial. We ask that you heal the hearts of our soldiers. Fill them with the assurance of your presence in their hours of fear, doubt, or even despair. Provide them with hope when they feel hopeless and peace when their spirits are in turmoil.

Father, this nation was founded on the work and character of many high-caliber men and women you selected to lead us. We ask that you again bless us with gifted leaders for our nation, our state, and our city. Grant us wisdom and discernment as we participate in the election process in the coming months. May our minds and hearts be attuned to your will for us in this hour.

When President Reagan said farewell to the nation he had served for eight years in January of 1989, he affirmed John Winthrop’s prophetic call that America was to become the shining city on a hill that would serve as a beacon of hope to the nations of the world.

May we stop and remember those who desperately need freedom and consider what sacrifices we must make to procure it for them. May we remember those who hurtle through the darkness and step in with the Good News that the Light of the World has come to light their way home to true freedom found in Jesus Christ.

In the precious name of Jesus who desires to lead us all to freedom, Amen.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

The rapport of mortars being launched could be heard in the distance. The trailing whine ended in a large bang. The explosions were close tonight. Indirect fire is not often well aimed by the insurgents. On this night it again missed its mark landing in the residential area outside the Green Zone. It was the middle of the night.

It was a hot night. The lack of electricity made the flashes of light seem even brighter. Gunfire could be heard sporadically in the background. His teenage daughter held on tightly. The blasts brought fear and frailty to their home. A father holds a daughter and knows her heart.

The danger was real and ever present. It was mid-2006, and Baghdad was a violent place. Brandt Smith left the comfort of the United States to go to Baghdad, Iraq. He voluntarily went with his wife and daughter into a combat theater. Away from the relative protection of the Green Zone, they lived in the Red Zone, the real Baghdad. He and his family would remain in this ‘dark corner’ of the earth for over two years.

When you live in a city where terrorism is constantly battling against freedom, you learn that violence and chaos are commonplace. The list of friends lost to this violence brought Brandt deep pain. Yet amidst the turmoil God provided a refuge, sometimes through miraculous acts of protection, sometimes through the quiet presence of His love. Tonight, his daughter would have the reassuring words of her father speaking God’s Word.

In the psalms he found a resting place. There are passages sprinkled throughout the psalms that illustrate God’s compassion and grace for those in harm’s way. David was a man of war, and he had insight into the brevity of life. He understood this and communicated it to God. In many of these passages, David conveys a hope that meets the needs of the soldier and the missionary and their daughters.

The trembling began to subside. The noise faded to silence. And peace returned to their home.

Lord encamp around me. Teach me to fear you. Thank you Father for delivering me once again.

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7)

The car rounded a corner and began to approach the government building. It was a scene eerily absent of normal daily activities. All quiet in Baghdad hardly normal. It usually indicated that a curfew had been imposed; or something was about to happen, just happened, or was happening and you had not been informed.

As the car approached, gunfire pierced through the silence. Rounds coursed across the road all around them. Instinctively the driver began to pull the car to the side of the road. Brandt’s assistant in the back seat screamed, “la, la, la, “ translated “no, no, no!” in English.

The road in front of the ministry headquarters was lined with barriers and razor wire. There was nowhere to go. The driver stepped on the gas and drove through the firefight. The racket of gunfire and the crack of bullets passing by overwhelmed the senses. They made it to the other side. They were alive, but silent. Not a word was spoken as they completed the drive to the office.

They pulled into the office parking lot and got out to examine the car. Not one bullet had hit the car. Miraculously they had been delivered through the hail of bullets. The two Muslims looked in disbelief. It is not common for a Muslim to pray with a Christian, but his driver and assistant held hands with Brandt as he prayed, thanking God for His protection. Once in the office Brandt turned on the computer. An email had just arrived. One of the Christians praying for Brandt and his family had been awakened in their sleep with the sense that God wanted them to pray for Brandt. The email said, “I was just awakened to pray for you. I don’t know what is going on in your day today, but I wanted you to know that I am praying.”

We may never know why our heart is burdened to pray, but we must pray nonetheless. He is drawing us to himself co-laboring with him in his work, his will.

Father God, show me your heart and awaken me from my sleep to pray. I long to co-labor with you. May your compassion be my compassion, may my heart break for what breaks your heart. Thank you God for awakening me.

“Morning by morning He awakens me.” (Isaiah 50:4b)

It was nighttime. It was also the end of the fourth day of the curfew that kept them prisoners in their home. The heat of the day would never fully dissipate. Without the comfort that they were so accustomed to before coming to Iraq, Brandt’s wife leaned over and asked, “What are we doing here?” Brandt would answer, “Well, we are following Jesus.” She would reply with an affirming, “I know, but man…”

His wife would not be the only one to bear the strain, the hardship. Brandt waded through confusion. “Why are we here? Why did God ask us to be at this place at this time.” Brandt and his wife, Gail, would sit together and read in Luke 9 where Jesus was speaking to his disciples and to the people. Luke 9:23 says, “If anyone wishes to come after me let him deny himself.”