NEW ORLEANS (BP)–In closing his Aug. 28 chapel address at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Jim Richards, executive director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, read a “Soldier’s Pledge” that Dallas-area pastor Jack Graham used the week after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks last year.
With no attributed author, the text reads as follows:
I AM A SOLDIER
“I am a soldier, a prayer warrior, of the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, Prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.
“I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.
“I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the Rapture or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out. I am faithful, capable, and dependable.
“If my God needs me, I am there.
“I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
“I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
“I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His Kingdom!
“I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
“I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
“When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end with nothing, I will still come out even. I will win. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.
“I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me and hell cannot handle me.
“I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him.
“I am a soldier, a prayer warrior, in the army, and I’m marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around.
“I am a soldier, a prayer warrior, marching Heaven-bound. Here I stand! Will you stand with me?”
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