Perspective on Iraq
Jim Bramlett
May 5, 2004
"WINNING THE SOUL OF IRAQ THROUGH AGGRESSIVE PRAYER"
By Francis Frangipane
Web: http://www.frangipane.org/ Email: comments@frangipane.orgBeloved, we need to continue to storm heaven with intercessory
prayer for Iraq. Whether you believe the war in Iraq is just or
unjust, I believe that God is using this advance for His purposes.
Indeed, while men make plans motivated by human objectives, God uses
the plans of men to accomplish His will. It is my conviction that
this war in Iraq represents such a time of God using the plans of
man for a greater purpose.Perhaps you doubt that the Almighty is involved in human wars and
decisions. I certainly do not believe every war or conflict on earth
is serving God's purpose. However, there are unique times when,
unbeknownst to man, He is using our plans for His greater purpose.Fulfilling His Plans
Consider the Lord's word to Isaiah concerning Sennacherib king of
Assyria. Sennacherib's army had plundered nation after nation and it
now was encamped outside Jerusalem calling for Judah's surrender.
Yet, even as the Assyrians boasted of their previous conquests, the
Lord's word to them was that He would defend Jerusalem. He then told
them that, while they made plans and sought personal objectives,
they were in truth fulfilling, not their plans, but His.The Lord said, "Have you not heard? Long ago I did it, from ancient
times I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should
turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps. Therefore their
inhabitants were short of strength, they were dismayed and put to
shame..." (Isa 37:26-27).They succeeded because their actions corresponded to God's
prevailing plans. However, it was not His will to destroy Jerusalem.
To prove His point, the Lord then destroyed Sennacherib's army and
185,000 enemy soldiers died outside of Jerusalem. My point is simply
that there are times when God uses the plans of man to fulfill
greater intentions that existed long ago in the divine scheme of
things.God's Plan to Liberate Iraq
Personally, I believe the plans to remove Saddam Hussein made by the
United States, Great Britain and their allies were noble in motive.
I am convinced the "Coalition of the Willing" did not come to
conquer and destroy Iraq, but to liberate the Iraqis from a despotic
ruler and open their culture to democracy. Even though these nations
came with noble plans, the plans of God were even greater: God
desires Iraq to be liberated so He can bring forth a harvest among
the Arab and Islamic peoples of the region. This has been God's
plan, decided "long ago."If this was the Lord's overruling idea, why then has there been such
conflict? Why hasn't this region simply been quickly subdued?
Remember, modern Iraq has the most ancient of roots. This region is
where the garden of Eden once was. It is the gateway Lucifer had
into the world of men.It was also in Iraq that Satan planted his first civilizations of
Babylon and Nineveh. Ancient Iraq was actually the spiritual
"homeland" of the devil. It is interesting that it was from this
very area that Abraham came from. So both God and the devil have a
certain stake in this region. When the powers over this region fall,
Satan knows the influence of ruling Islam will break and the Arab
world will become more open to the gospel. Beloved, this breaking or
wounding of Islam must occur so that the gospel can be preached in
these nations before Christ returns (Matt 24:14).Aggressive Prayer Urged
For this reason, I am urging the body of Christ to aggressively pray
for heaven's armies to aid in quelling the turmoil over that region.
Already churches are being planted in Baghdad; and in the north,
many Kurds are coming into God's kingdom. But we must prevail in
prayer, praying with vision and unwavering persistence. Many of you
are looking for confirmation to add fasting to your intercession, so
let these words affirm the rightness of your intentions.It's time to unite and see major breakthroughs come in this war.
Many Muslims have been having visions and dreams of Jesus Christ;
millions more have seen the movie, The Passion of the Christ. God is
doing something, beloved, but we must persevere in prayer until, as
Jesus said, "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the
whole world for a witness to all the nations." Let us not grow
weary, but instead gain courage as we persevere in prayer for the
soul of Iraq.Lord God, You said nations will come to our light. We ask You for
this nation of Iraq. We ask that You subdue the conflicts and
unrest. Break the power of the terrorist groups and let the people
rejoice in the coming of peace to their land. Yet, we are not just
praying for peace, but for the Prince of Peace to manifest His
sovereignty over this nation, that the peoples would have dreams and
desires to know Jesus. Protect our soldiers and the people until You
can pour out Your great mercy from on high. In Jesus' name. Amen.By Francis Frangipane
Web: http://www.frangipane.org/
Email: comments@frangipane.org
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