Direct from a soldier in Iraq

Got this from one of my closest friends today. He is a soldier in Iraq:

"As you saw on the news, I trust, an F-16 fighter jet went down in Anbar province about a week ago. My buddy was the team leader for the QRF (quick reaction force) for that event, but for whatever reason his choppers were turned around two minutes from the crash site. AF special forces didn't get in until 7 hours after the crash and were unable to find the pilot. About 3 days later, after no success, my Company was sent in to do a house-to-house search, stop all vehicles, and question everyone in the area to try to find the pilot. We choppered in with another unit, secured the crash site, and walked and walked and walked. Checked every house, vehicle, well, and gravel pit to no avail. The pilot has since been confirmed dead due to evidence on the crash site that has been analyzed, so our search was called off, and here I am back at FOB Kalsu. The plane was not shot down, it appears to have been a result of mechanical issue s or pilot error. Please pray for the family of Maj. Troy Gilbert in this difficult time."

Lord, we pray for Iraq. We pray that in the strife and mess and chaos, you will work as only you can. Be with the soldiers from the States, Britain and elsewhere; and grant peace to the Iraqi people - primarily through a knowledge of yourself. Help us at home to do what we should do--whether it be prayer, correspondence, or something else--and may we be reminded of the spiritual war that rages all around us, and be people who are available and active for Kingdom duty. Amen.