Prayer Circles

I saw the above image of praying soldiers in an email I received today and thought I'd share it here with my patriotic poem "When Soldiers Pray." May it touch you in some small way, and please...feel free to share this poem with the link to my "Secure the Fort" blog!

Lucy

When Soldiers Pray

When we call upon our men and women
To step into harm’s way
We should without a doubt step up
To be the first to pray

For soldiers pray out in the field
In circles before the Lord
Each one taking turns in prayer
Before they draw the sword

As soldiers leave their security
And step into the zone
They have the courage given by God
And given by God alone.

The battle is the Lord’s they know
And trust without a doubt
Mentally they get their minds in gear
As they give that warrior shout

Circles of prayer out in the sand
And heat of Iraqi sun
Strengthen our soldiers in the field
Until this war is won

So in circles of prayer we pray
For safety of them all
But we also pray for the families
Of all the ones who fall

Lord, protect our precious soldiers
Bring them home again
Give them strength to endure the fight
For freedom’s sake and then

Protect their minds from all they did
And all they had to see
Let them know You are the Prince of Peace
And keep their minds on Thee
©Lucy Cain

Excerpt, “Secure the Fort (And Remain Under God), A Military Mother’s Message to America” Xlibris, July 2007
http://securethefort.blogspot.com
www.allgloryishis.com

Author Copy Received!

Xlibris update: I felt very humbled (and excited) today when I pulled into the driveway and saw a mailer envelope hanging out of the mailbox! It came...the author copy of Secure theFort (And Remain Under God)! I couldn't wait to get out of the van and grab the mail. I rushed inside and tore open the package like a toddler unwrapping a Christmas present! I sat there and just stared at it, thanking God for His faithfulness all through this journey. It has been something I will never forget as long as I live.

Pray for the ministry this book involves. I will keep you posted on an "official" release date! It's just around the corner... all glory is HIS!

Lucy

More Progress!

I had another wonderful experience today when going to our KY National Guard Armory to meet some people and share about Secure the Fort's release. I was encouraged and felt it a true honor to meet these Guard men and women.
I was given some contact names and phone numbers of people who may be able to help schedule some speaking engagements about the book's ministry to our troops.
Keep praying for open doors in the direction God wants us to take...
I should be receiving my author copy within three weeks to preview! After I approve that, it's available!
I thanked God again today for allowing me to take part in this journey with Him. It has been incredible. What an honor...
Lucy

What a day!

Wow! God has really been at work today in preparing the way for Secure the Fort's release!
I have been in awe of my God all day long...let me share.

1. I met some incredible people today at various recruiting offices and at our local Armed Forces Reserves Center. When talking to them about Secure the Fort's upcoming release, they were very positive and encouraging! I met with someone involved with the Army Reserves family programs who literally embraced this book's intent and vision to lift up and encourage our military families. I may have some speaking opportunities as a result of this meeting. God is beginning to open doors to share about this book's ministry! I may even have the opportunity to share about this book at Fort Knox. What an honor this would be! Keep praying for God's leading.

2. I just received confirmation of an interview on June 8th with Bob Calvert, host of "Talking With Heroes." He will be doing a live taping for his show at Port Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. What an honor and a blessing for spreading the word about this upcoming release! Pray for this event and all involved that it will be a blessing to our military.

Thanking you as always for your continued prayers.
Lucy

Making Progress!

We're getting closer and closer to publishing time! I have approved the cover design. I think you'll all like it. :) I made a few changes to the interior layout, so as soon as those are done and I approve the revision, it'll go to print. All glory is HIS in this endeavor...

I am in the midst of contacting various military establishments/units about posting information on the book's release. Pray we can get some exposure through this in order to encourage and support our military families through Secure the Fort's ministry. Continuing to pray for open doors! Word of mouth is very powerful. Let's pray for positive feedback and supportive avenues to let the nation's military families become aware of this book that is simply written from a military mother's heart, for other military folks - and for all Americans!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support in this journey.
Lucy

Today's event

I felt honored today to be part of a health and benefits fair for our women veterans. I met some incredible women who still carry themselves with pride and confidence, strength and honor. I was proud to shake their hands.
We forget sometimes that our veterans are not all elderly people! Many have this visualization of an aging, slower paced individual when talking about our veterans. Not so. Many of our vets are my age! I'd like to think I'm not so old yet. :)
Some of our women vets are still raising children. They need to be remembered. So next time you're in line at the grocery, or post office be thoughtful in the fact that the mom of two teenage kids in front of you may very well have spent several years in the service.
It's possible!
I was blessed by the fact that many who learned of Secure the Fort's release in a few weeks are anxious to read it! I gained some military contacts in hopes of being able to speak to these units or support groups at some point, and encourage them through readings from Secure the Fort's manuscript.
Keep praying for the ministry this book will provide to our military families...and I'll keep you updated as I can on the book's release.
Lucy

Praises!

Some praises to share today!
1. Interior galleys are done for the first volume of Secure the Fort (And Remain Under God). All I need to do is read through for any corrections that need making, and then approve them. We're one step closer to printing! Do pray for this series of books and the ministry they will have to our military families and everyone else who reads them.
2. I just spoke to another military mom this week who heads up www.momsofmilitary.com, a prayer circle of military mothers. The group is based out of Yorba Linda, California. I encourage other military moms to contact them to join this prayer circle. Our military "children" need all the prayers they can get. I am anxious to talk to other moms in this circle and hear their testimonies of answered prayers! I'm hoping to get some of these moms to submit their testimonies for the volume of Secure the Fort that will focus on our Christian military moms in action!
Lucy

Book Nearing Completion!

Secure the Fort (And Remain Under God), A Military Mother's Message to America is very close to completion! I have placed the book with Xlibris, who published my book, Life lessons in the presence of...Living Water (A Thirst Quenching Devotional).

I have been blessed and honored to include the submissions by over 30 contributors. It is a definite. A second volume will be in the works before too long! So, if you still want to contribute to the book, you'll have a second chance!

I expect a release date of June or July, so keep watching for updates!

**Good news! My opening poem, GI Joes and Army Men, will be made into a single release CD with the help of Angela Lashley of Nashville, TN. See her website about her song release, "So Brave" at www.sobravesong.com. This song was written when her son Jonathan joined the Army, and expresses tender thoughts about our sons and daughters entering into service. Be sure to listen to "So Brave." It will touch every military parent's heart....and that is what I pray happens with both Secure the Fort and the upcoming song, "GI Joes and Army Men."
Lucy

God is working!

The submissions keep coming, and I am continually blessed! Keep praying for a publisher. I submitted queries to four Christian literary agencies this week. One emailed back and asked for the full book proposal, which was sent today. I was very encouraged by this! Our nation needs the message found in Secure the Fort...praying for the means to get it out there.
If you are new to this blog, read further down for submission details.
I'll keep you posted on our progress!
Lucy
P.S. I submitted "State Needs Church" on gather.com and did that article ever generate conversation. I was called an idiot, cursed, called a religious fanatic, etc. If interested, go to www.gather.com and do a search on the topic of "separation of church and state." Keep looking. It's on there!

Secure the Fort comes along!

Praising God for how He is moving in this manuscript! I just recently discovered about 60 letters my two great-uncles wrote home from WWII! We have literally "lived in the trenches" for several days. What history! Some will be shared in Secure the Fort!
I have also had good response for my submmissions call. I have about 15 outside stories included thus far, and waiting on more! I am humbled...and grateful! This is going to be such a unique book. God is soooo good! Keep watching for details. I can't wait to see what God has planned for this one....share with your family or friends about the submissions invitation! **I am in need of Coast Guard contacts!!!! Lucy