A series of intelligence reports from early in the Iraq war regularly featured cover sheets combining the images of U.S. troops in combat with biblical quotations, according to an article posted on GQ magazine’s Web site.

The intelligence reports, which were titled "Worldwide Intelligence Update" and often were hand-delivered to the president by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, contained inspirational passages, such as this from Ephesians: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

Another, from Isaiah, reads: "Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, The nation that keeps the faith."

According to GQ, the covers were created by Maj. Gen. Glen Shaffer, a director for intelligence serving both the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the secretary of defense.

When some Pentagon employees expressed concern about the repercussions should the covers be leaked in the midst of a war in a Muslim nation, Shaffer was unmoved, the magazine said.

A Christian, Shaffer said he would continue to use the quotations because "my seniors" appreciated them, GQ reported.

His seniors included Rumsfeld, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Richard Myers and President George W. Bush.

The article pointed out that it was not Rumsfeld’s style to motivate using religion, but suggested he may have allowed the cover sheets as a way to make a personal connection with Bush, who often quoted the Bible.