Locals turn to prayer under specter of war

Awaiting word of war, a worried mother hugged her daughter and prayed in a soft, shaky voice.

In a back pew, a younger man and woman sat silently and somber with their eyes open and their heads bowed.

Friends of a couple who has a son in the military overseas huddled around them -- hugging, crying, pronouncing their faith.

On Wednesday night, the congregation of Lynwood Baptist Church did what many Americans did during the hour before the deadline for war with Iraq.

They prayed.

About 150 members of the Cape Girardeau congregation attended the prayer service that was dedicated to government leaders, including President Bush, and friends and family members who are involved in the war.

A flier was handed out that showed pictures of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The pictures of the president, secretary of state and other leaders flashed on a big screen behind the Rev. Derek Staples as he prayed for each one. The next image: a long list of people with connections to the church who are members of the military.

"There are many who desire to protest against our leadership and our military," Staples said while in prayer. "Our greatest obligation is to pray."

Staples prayed for the president to be granted wisdom in these trying times and for God to protect the soldiers who may be fighting the war at any time.

As 7 p.m. neared, Staples noted that the deadline Bush had set for Saddam Hussein was approaching.

"In 17 minutes, the deadline will have come to an end," Staples said, standing on a pulpit that was decorated with American flags and a screen of a saluting soldier.

"It is possible that even as we dismiss, the war could have already started," he said.

Some members said they felt the immediacy and urgency even before the president issued his deadline.

"I've been praying like this for the past month," said church member Lisa Sander. "Praying for the president and leaders of our country to make the right decision. ... I always pray for the will of God to be done."

She acknowledged that there are Christians who may be opposed to the war.

"But God has the right opinion," she said. "I'm supporting the president."

Parishioner Phillip Barnhart said he was praying to put the men and women who will fight the war in God's hands.

"They're going to need these prayers, for strength, and to help them get through," he said. "I'm also praying for the parents. My son served in Desert Storm, so I know how it can get to you."

Some said they came to pray for others, but also found some peace from being at church during this troubling hour.

"I find some peace in just being here," Rita Collier said. "All you can do is pray to have that peace in your heart all the time."

After the short service, Staples asked the congregation to gather at the altar or to pray in their pews.

He left them with one clear admonition: "Don't let a day go by that you don't pray and lift these people up to God," he said. "Things here might be full of turmoil and uncertainty, but there is calmness in Heaven. We need to remember that our hope is in God."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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