PRAYER FOR THE MILITARY

HEAVENLY FATHER, we entrust the lives of our military personnel to Christ on the Cross. May your strong right hand be on the shoulder of our nation. Strengthen our civil and military leaders to firmly and confidently guide our service men and women—especially those in harm’s way. By entrusting themselves to your love, may our brave young patriots serving in the army, air force, navy and nation guard bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things. [cf. 1Cor 13:7] 

SPIRIT OF Truth come forth from the Father and the Son to lead our young men and women safely home from the field of battle. Gently shepherd them back to their mothers and fathers, their brothers and sisters and to a grateful nation. This we ask, merciful Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Sovereign Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, the Triune God now and forever. Amen.

REFLECTION 

WHEN A young American enters a recruiting station to sign up, he walks in as an individual who has made a private and personal decision. At the instant he voices the oath of service and affixes his signature, his personal decision becomes very public. He has chosen of his free will to serve his nation for the good of all its citizens—no matter what their origins or beliefs.

ENTRUSTING HIS life to our elected government, the young recruit joins thousands of other young men and women in the mission of protecting the United States of America. Their service to God and country will require unwavering loyalty and obedience.

MILITARY PERSONNEL must be confident that what is expected of them by their nation, president and commanding officers is prudent and just for friend and foe alike. From his superiors and fellow service members, military men and women should expect excellence in all things.

OUR LIVES depend on the cooperation and respect we give the soldier on the ground, the airman in the sky, the sailor and marine, and national guard. The civilian citizens of our nation would do well to plant this truth deep in their hearts and to live their lives in such a way as to be worthy of God and worth defending.

THOUGH IT brings sadness to the human spirit, we must acknowledge the dangers that men and women face in the defense of their nation. Many have been injured or killed and many more will suffer silently in the years after conflict is ended. In this time of war, we continue to stand in solidarity with our soldiers, our airmen, our sailors and our marines who have pledged their lives for the well-being of all the families of our nation.

WE PRAY for God’s reconciliation and peace to rest on all peoples and nations: “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” [Eph 6:12] 

WITH FULL knowledge that true heroism in the service of one’s country arises from the day-to-day hard work of duty and service, we beseech our gracious and provident heavenly Father to grant our soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines a lively faith, a gallant heart and a serene acceptance of his unsearchable will. May the love of Our Lord and their families banish all loneliness and doubt. May the resolute support of our country’s citizens increase their strength and magnify their courage. May the peace of Christ become the peace of nations, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan and Jerusalem.

OUR YOUNG service men and women depend on Christian families who remember their sacred duty of interceding to God on their behalf. May the names of these brave men and women and the record of their noble service to God and country not be forgotten.