Your article “From Rome, No Awe — Just Shock” (March 30-April 5) really caused me to think more deeply about the war in Iraq and to change my attitude about it.

In the days leading up to the war, I simply prayed that the Lord would bring peace to the situation because I didn't see a solution outside of going to war. However, I could not truthfully say I supported Pope John Paul II's insistence that the war with Iraq is not justified. However, after reading the article, I am convinced that the Holy Father has a greater understanding of the situation than anyone else on the planet.

It occurs to me that praying for peace in one breath and justifying the war in the next is a bit like praying for good health and then intentionally walking into oncoming traffic.

If we really are serious about our prayers of petition, our actions will mirror our requests. We can't just give God 48-hour notice and then act on our own when we don't get an answer we like. If we are praying for peace while justifying the war, we're really just paying God lip service. No wonder we didn't get peace — we got what we were really looking for.

We absolutely need to support our troops now that the war has begun. We need to pray for our president so he can make the right decisions in a difficult situation. We also need to support our Pope, not abandon him, because his position is based on God's law, not man's. And I think he knows something about this that we don't.

LISA HEFFRON

Foothill Ranch, California