Prayer thread for the 4 kidnapped Peace Activists in Iraq

Kidnappers threaten to kill peace activists
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/02/iraq.hostages.ap/index.html

Please join me in sending prayers and light to EVERYONE involved in this situation. The kidnappers have set a December 8th deadline. However, prayers are so powerful, and hope is not yet lost by any measure.

I know so many DU'ers already have these guys in their thoughts and prayers. I invite others to join me in praying for the 4 activists, their families, their captors and those trying so hard to free them right now.

Thank you and God bless.

My thoughts and prayers are with these four people, our soldiers, and the people of Iraq and the world over.

May God quicken these four to safety and give them peace of mind...

(Recommended.)

Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that we may walk the paths of the most high.

And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into pruning hooks.

Nations shall not lift up sword against nation - neither shall they learn war any more.

And none shall be afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.

***

Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be known as the Children of God.

But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

To those who strike you on the cheek offer the other also, and from those who take away your cloak, do not withhold your coat as well.

Give to everyone who begs from you, and of those who take away your goods, do not ask them again.

And as you wish that others would to do you,do so to them.

this needless, horrible war.

From their site:

"We believe that the mandate to proclaim the Gospel of repentance, salvation and reconciliation includes a strengthened Biblical peace witness."

http://www.cpt.org/publications/history.php

You gotta kinda figure that they're not exactly going to be welcomed with open arms. It's like walking into a lion's cage with a pork chop tied to your head.

Yeah, I hope they come out of this O.K., but sending Christians to "proclaim the Gospel" in Iraq seems pretty damn dumb to me.

I guess it was inevitable that someone would play the "bash Christians" card.

I'm just waiting for the first protest that a "prayer thread" constitutes forcing religion down DUers' throats. :eyes:

there.

Iraq was attacked by a self-proclaimed "Christian nation". Why the hell would you send people there to "preach the Gospel"?

I'd also question the wisdom of sending Islamic clerics to an occupied Christian country were the situation reversed.

I can't believe you speak so authoritively on something you are so completely ignorant. (I hope it is ignorance and not deliberate ill-will)

The Christian Peace Teams is NOT a missionary group. The CPT operates in places of conflict not to preach or convert, but to witness the truth. They "proclaim the Gospel" by doing it, not by attempting to win people over to a particular theological formula. They do this in Hebron, Palestine and they are doing it in Iraq. They witness the injustice done by the occupations or military then convey that information to the world. At times, in Palestine, they "get in the way" of violent Jewish settlers or the Israeli army when they are doing violence to the Palestinians who live there. They act like human rights activists, not missionaries.

Because of their reputation, all sectors of Palestinian society, Christian and Muslim, have united in calling for their freedom.

Please go to http://cpt.org/ and learn more.

These selfless people took it upon themselves to deliver a message to not only the Iraqis but to the world.

That people here reveal they are not surprised at their fate is by no means 'Bashing Christians'.

Now let's get back to praying for their safety instead of bickering about it.

Here's a couple of their actions in other places:

CPT’s summer 2002 Chicago training group conducted a prayer service in front of Boeing Headquarters in downtown Chicago.

CPT members and supporters conducted a prayer witness in front of the World of Coca-Cola

the Coke or Boeing execs to Christianity (they probably already claim they are Christian) but to stop their heinous violence they visit on much of the world.

Understand?

From the CPT website:

"The primary focus of the team for eighteen months following the invasion was documenting and focusing attention on the issue of detainee abuses and basic legal and human rights being denied them. Issues related to detainees remain but the current focus of the team has expanded to include efforts to end occupation and militarization of the country and to foster nonviolent and just alternatives for a free and independent Iraq."

http://www.cpt.org/iraq/iraq.php

than trying to convert Muslims.
"CPT’s ministry of Biblically-based and spiritually-centered peacemaking emphasizes creative public witness, nonviolent direct action and protection of human rights." - from the webpage you linked.

It seems to me that they're trying to proclaim the Law of God that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. My prayers go out to them.

I will even pray for *. Although I may just pray that he gets what's comin' to him some day!

and back with their loved ones soon.

INJ Amen

4 people.

I am personally praying for them.

Peace to all, and positive thoughts in the captives' direction.

Alas, when will humans learn that violence is not an answer to any problem and that when used, violence often spins out of control into a worsening downward spiral of death and despair.

BushInc see the light and pull out of Iraq immediately.

and tell them to put pressure on Negroponte to release them.

and all in Iraq

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . . hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
Where there is sadness . . . joy
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . . as to console
To be understood . . . as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . . that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . . that we are born to eternal life.

St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

I pray that they return home safe and continue their work protesting this immoral war. Protect these people, they see what this conflict for what it really is and are doing what they can to put an end to it. These good people dont deserve such a horrible end. I pray that their lives are spared.

Amen

and in the light of the divine.

I pray that their captors realize divinity before condemning themselves to the trappings of the world.

May they find light and the love of God.

And all others who are affected badly by the misconduct of the US government!

as expected, both sides are becoming monsters.

And sorry if I sound self centered but I am tired of the killing

what you choose to reflect into it is reflected back to you.
If the captors truly want freedom in there world for themselves and there families they must set them free. I may pray to our loving God, but it is my loving actions that will bring the change.
SET THEM FREE. Peace