Watching the Academy Awards last night was a surreal experience, wasn't it? Oscars were distributed amidst war reports. Most actors took the stage to thank their colleagues and supporters, but some felt the need to speak to the world situation as well. One in particular was extremely critical of our president, with the (perhaps intended) result that his remarks and his heretofore-unknown name are on the front page of the newspaper this morning.

Meanwhile, at least 30 U.S. soldiers are dead or missing in Iraq. Multiplied thousands more continue this war against terror. They are the real performers, theirs the real sacrifice, their families deserving of our highest gratitude. While a few actors impugned the war they are waging, they continue on with unspeakable bravery.

Driving to work today, I thought of President Theodore Roosevelt, himself a war veteran and hero. In light of the criticisms voiced last night, his words seem especially timely: "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena: whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming: who does actually try to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."

The debate is over, and the war is being fought. Now is not a time for attacking our own troops and leaders, but a time for prayer and support. Our president has enough critics; he needs intercessors. God's word commands us to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) in obedience to our Lord (Romans 13:1-2). You and I cannot help our troops by fighting on the deserts of Iraq or the stages of Hollywood, but on the knees of our hearts. In heartfelt, sacrificial intercession we are "actually in the arena," we "strive valiantly," we "dare mighty things" at their side.

John Wesley believed that God does nothing except in answer to prayer. If we truly want peace in Iraq, we must seek it not before an audience of many but an Audience of One. You're on his stage right now.

Copyright © 2003. James C. Denison. All rights reserved.