I obviously have no expertise to add to the question of our military strategy in Iraq; even if I had an opinion worth discussing, this would not be the forum to do so. Rather, I am interested this morning in the study group's recommendations for more theological reasons. I understand the logic of working with our adversaries to promote a greater good, and the ultimate goal of withdrawing our troops out of harm's way.

To some minds, North Korea's claim to have tested a nuclear device is a worst-case doomsday scenario. If the Communist nation possesses the capacity to launch a nuclear missile against South Korea, Japan, or even the United States, the world immediately becomes a far more dangerous place. But there's possibly good news in the bad news.

This week, let's learn from the masters of Christian spirituality how to pray when times are hard. We begin with one of the most famous prayers for a wartime situation-these words from an unknown Confederate soldier:

John 20:10-18

We cannot judge the future in the present. The war in Iraq is "very bloody, messy," according to a Dallas Morning News headline this morning. Each day's news brings reports of casualties and loss. But we cannot know tomorrow, today. We can only continue down the path we believe to be just, taking each step in the right direction.

The president told an audience at a Tampa-area military base, "The path we are taking is not easy and it may be long. Yet we know our destination-we will stay on the path, mile by mile, all the way to Baghdad and all the way to victory."

It is so easy to be deceived. Scripture warns: "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). For twelve years Saddam Hussein has lied to the world, refusing to obey the dictates of his earlier surrender, systematically terrorizing his neighbors and his own people.

Watching the war coverage each day will cause our hearts and souls to become bitter, vengeful, and broken unless we do as Jesus says...We will harbor hatred and resentment long after the conflict is over. Our souls will be poisoned with anger toward our enemies. The only way out is to pray for those we are tempted to hate. To ask God to show them the light of his love and truth.

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.

John 20:1-9