As our military troops face violence and terrorist threats around the world, it is vital to pray for them and their families. You can adapt the following prayers to pray for your loved one and others serving in our military.
1. Protection. Thank You, Lord, for the courage and selfless service of our military troops. May my loved one and all who serve around the world turn to You for rest and protection. Keep them safe from all hidden dangers and deadly diseases. May they not fear the terrors of night or the disaster that strikes at midday. Order Your angels to protect them wherever they go. Keep their feet from slipping, and hold them securely in Your strong right hand until they are safely home. (Ps. 91:1-11, 121:3, 139:10)
2. Mercy. Faithful Father, Your mercy and compassions never fail; they are new every morning. May my loved one and all our troops freshly experience Your mercy as they get up each morning. May Your compassion rain down upon them, and may they see Your great faithfulness each day. (Lam. 3:21-23)
3. Strength. Almighty and everlasting God, grant my loved one and our soldiers the strength to carry out their duties. Give them courage and endurance each day as they use their skills to overcome obstacles. When they feel weak, be their strength. If they are tired, remind them to look to You so that they can mount up with wings like eagles, run and not get tired, walk and not get weary. (Ps. 18:31-36, 31:24; Is. 40:31)
4. Apprehension of evil. Lord, let no weapon formed against our servicemen and women prosper. May all evildoers be discovered and apprehended before they bring destruction on others, especially women, children, and the elderly. (Is. 54:17)
5. Wise leaders. Lord, give our commander in chief, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other military leaders wisdom as they make decisions. May they submit themselves to You and seek guidance from trustworthy counselors. As they call upon You, show them great and unsearchable things that they do not know. Cause Your name to be exalted among the nations as a result of our military involvement. (Jas. 1:5; Prov. 20:18; Jer. 33:3; Ps. 46:10)
6. Good commanders. May the military commanders in the field submit themselves to Your leadership. May they be dedicated to the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the troops assigned to them. (Jas. 4:6-8; Mk. 10:42-44)
7. Sound preaching. Father, may the military chaplains teach the truth of the gospel. May they preach Christ Jesus as Lord, not in fancy words but in the power of Your Spirit. Use their preaching to open the eyes of many soldiers and civilians so that they can see the glorious light of the gospel shining upon them. May those who are believers be renewed in their faith so that they can be a light to others in the field. (2 Cor. 4:2-5; 1 Cor. 2:4; Mt. 5:14-16)
8. Christ’s power and love. Lord, open the eyes of my loved one and our servicemen and women so that they may know the hope to which You have called them and Your incomparably great power for those who believe. Root and establish them in love so that they may grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Do more than I can ask or imagine in their lives. (Eph. 1:18-19, 3:17-20)
9. Sovereign presence. I praise You that You are always near. Although my loved one and our troops are far from family and friends, they cannot go anywhere that is far from You. All the days ordained for them were written in Your book before one of them came to be. You plan to give them hope and a future. (Ps. 139:7,16; Jer. 29:11)
10. Refuge. God, You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Help us remember that You, the Lord of hosts, are with us and our soldiers; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:1-2,7)
11. Peace. Lord, may the families of our military personnel - their spouses, children, siblings, parents, and friends - cast all their cares and burdens upon You. Instead of being worried or anxious, may they pray about everything that concerns them. As You promised, cause Your peace, which transcends all understanding, to guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Grant my loved one and all our soldiers this same peace, and let them feel the love we have for them even though we are far apart. (1 Pet. 5:7; Phil. 4:6-7)
12. Provision for children. Father of the fatherless, fill the gaps of love that the children of our servicemen and women miss from their parents today because they are absent or deployed. May these children sense Your everlasting love for them. Provide for all their needs out of Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Comfort them and keep them in Your care until they are reunited with their loved ones. (Ps. 68:5; Phil. 4:19)
13. Hope. May the God of all hope fill my loved one, along with all our troops and every military family, with all joy and peace as they trust in You. May they abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ro. 15:13)
14. Healing. Lord, You are the Great Physician who mends and restores broken bodies, minds, emotions, and relationships. In the name of Jesus, heal the painful memories and the trauma of war that my loved one and all those returning from combat face. Restore their minds and emotions. Comfort those who have lost friends and family members, and physically strengthen those who are recovering from wounds. (Is. 53:4-6; Ps. 147:3)