PRAYERS FOR TROOPS

Keep Them In Your Care
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trails and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

During Time of War or Conflict
Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of our Lord Jesus, to lift up in prayer this present military action. Father, I pray that there might be a quick resolution to this action, and that the truth and righteousness would prevail. May You guide, bless, and protect all those engaged in this conflict. Heal the physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds that may be inflicted. Let all our soldiers, both home and abroad, turn to You for guidance, courage, and hope. Amen.

FOR LOYALTY TO OUR HOMES
Grant, O Lord, to those in the service of their country who have left wives and children at home, a stedfast loyalty through all the days of separation, that returning at length to their beloved they may know the joy of unbroken fidelity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THE NATION
O eternal God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR ALL IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY
O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Deceased Veterans
O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, look kindly on your departed veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country. Grant that through the passion, death, and resurrection of your Son they may share in the joy of your heavenly kingdom and rejoice in you with your saints forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

FOR THE ARMY
O Lord God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THE NAVY
O eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; Vouchsafe to take into thy almighty and most gracious protection our country?s Navy, and all who serve therein. Preserve them from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that they may be a safeguard unto the United States of America, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our land may in peace and quietness serve thee our God, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THOSE WOUNDED IN WAR
O Lord, we pray thee to have mercy upon all who are this day wounded and suffering. Though kindred and friends be far away, let thy grace be their comfort. Raise them to health again, if it be thy good pleasure; but chiefly give them patience and faith in thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Departing Troops
All-powerful and ever-living God, when Abraham left his native land and departed from his people you kept him safe through all his journeys. Protect these soldiers. Be their constant companion and their strength in battle, their refuge in every adversity. Guide them, O Lord, that they may return home in safety. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Prayer for Absent Family Members
O God, whose fatherly care reaches to uttermost parts of the earth; We humbly beseech you graciously to behold and bless those whom we love, now absent from us. Defend them from all dangers of soul and body, and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to you, may be bound together by your love in the communion of your Holy Spirit; through Jesus christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of a Spouse for a Departing Soldier
God of power and might,
at every moment and in every place
you are near to those who call upon your name in faith.
In marriage you have blessed us with a share in your divine love.
Look upon my husband/wife and keep him/her in your
safekeeping,
no matter where the road may lead.
And when the battle is ended,
bring him/her safely home to those who love him.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Prayer of a Son or Daughter for a Departing Parent
Loving God, you watch over each and every one of your children. Hear my prayer for my father/mother. Be his/her constant companion. Protect him/her no matter where he/she goes, and bring him/her safely and quickly home to those who love him/her. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Prayer of a Parent for a Departing Soldier
Father all-powerful and ever-loving God, from before we were born, your love has nurtured and sustained us. Hear my prayer for N., my son/daughter. Keep him/her safe in time of battle and faithful to you, day in and day out. Bring him/her safely home to those who love him/her. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

For the Safety of Soldiers
Almighty and eternal God, those who take refuge in you will be glad and forever will shout for joy. Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties. Protect them with the shield of your strength and keep them safe from all evil and harm. May the power of your love enable them to return home in safety, that with all who love them, they may ever praise you for your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

For Courage in the Time of Battle
O Prince of peace, we humbly ask your protection for all our men and women in military service. Give them unflinching courage to defend with honor, dignity and devotion, the rights of all who are imperiled by injustice and evil. Be their rock, their shield, and their stronghold and let them draw their strength from you. For you are God, for ever and ever.

A Prayer In Time Of War
Mary, Queen of Peace,
we turn to you, Our Mother.
Into your hands
we place our prayers.
For our men and women
serving in the military,
protect them!
For innocent victims
of war and violence,
spare them!
For those who mourn
and are injured,
comfort them!
For people of all nations,
unite them
in the love and peace of Your Son,
the Prince of Peace.

For Those Missing in Action
O my God, may we find more efficient ways of tracing and identifying those who are missing in action. Let them not be forgotten. Fill them with the hope of freedom and knowledge that their loved ones and comrades anxiously await their safe return. I fervently pray that the truth would come to light quickly so that the living may be rescued, and the families of the deceased may find timely closure. For those whom You have received into the next life, grant them eternal rest, O Lord. Let perpetual Light shine upon them. By Your mercy, may they rest in peace. Amen.

Prisoners of War
Father, in the Holy Name of Jesus, I pray for those who have been taken captive in war. Give them courage to persevere and also the knowledge that they have not been forgotten. May our nation find ways to rescue them safely and quickly, so that their suffering is not prolonged. I pray that they will not be used as pawns to the advantage of our enemies. Enter the hearts of their captors, that they may be merciful. Do not let the Evil One control their hearts and minds, tempting them to be cruel and torture their captives. Shine Your Light of Love upon all involved in military prisons. Remind them of Your commandment to love one another, as You love us all. Amen.

For our Veterans
O Lord, today I thank You for our veterans, for their willingness to risk all so that our nation might dwell in peace and safety. May they find the honor and recognition they truly deserve. I pray that You will heal the physical, spiritual, and psychological wounds some of these veterans have suffered. Bring a lasting peace to those who mourn the loss of comrades. Help them to find Your love and mercy, so that they may cope with the actions they may have had to take while they served our country. Make them realize that the rules of engagement in war do not always follow the laws of Christianity, but give them solace by Your scripture passages that show them that sometimes battle is necessary for the common good. Amen.

For Our Deceased Service Men and Women
You are all-powerful, God, and live forever in light and joy. Look with pity and love, we beg You, on those men and women who bravely fought and gallantly died for their country. By laying down their lives, they showed supreme love for others. Accept, we ask You, their sacrifice and their belief in the justice of the cause they died for. Let their offering not be in vain. Please forgive any sins and faults they may have committed. Speedily, we implore You, bring them into Your Presence where fear, sadness, mourning, and death cannot exist. Have pity in Your loving kindness on those they leave behind. In Your own unsearchable ways, make good for their absence, and lavishly bestow Your love and consolations on those deprived of their presence. This we ask in the Name of Christ, our Victor King. Amen.
~~from "Let us pray for our faithful departed," published by Franciscan Mission Assoc.

PRAYERS FOR A SOLDIER

Prayer for One's Family
Almighty Father, watch over my family, encourage them when we are separated during deployments, and give them health of mind and body that they may serve you with perfect love until the day when we, with all who have served you, will rejoice in your presence for ever. Amen.

Prayer in Time of War
God our Father,
maker and lover of peace,
to know you is to live,
and to serve you is to reign.
All our faith is in your saving help;
protect us from men of violence
and keep us safe from weapons of hate.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Soldier's Prayer (St. Ignatius)
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest:
To give, and not to count the cost;
To fight, and not to heed the wounds;
To toil, and not to seek for rest;
To labor, and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Thy will.


Prayer in Time of War
God our Father,
maker and lover of peace,
to know you is to live,
and to serve you is to reign.
All our faith is in your saving help;
protect us from men of violence
and keep us safe from weapons of hate.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Officers In Command
God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, hear my prayer for these soldiers under my command. Grant that I may bring the spirit of Christ to all my efforts and orders as I exercise my authority over those entrusted to my care. Inform my judgment with your Holy Spirit so that I may make decisions in conformity with your law and for the common good. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

On the Eve of Battle
God of power and mercy, maker and love of peace, to know you is to live, and to serve you is to reign. Through the intercession of St. Michael, the archangel be our protection in battle against all evil. Help me [us] to overcome war and violence and to establish your law of love and justice. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

For Hope in the Midst of Destruction
God of mercy, you know the secrets of all human hearts, for you know who is just and you forgive the repentant sinner. Hear my prayer in the midst of destruction; give me patience and hope, so that under your protection and with you as my guide, I may one day be reunited with my family and friends in peace, tranquility, and love. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Stay with me, God - A Soldier's Prayer
Stay with me, God. The night is dark,
The night is cold: my little spark
Of courage dies. The night is long;
Be with me, God, and make me strong.
I love a game; I love a fight.
I hate the dark; I love the light.
I love my child; I love my wife.
I am no coward. I love Life,
Life with its change of mood and shade.
I want to live. I'm not afraid,
But me and mine are hard to part;
Oh, unknown God, lift up my heart.
You stilled the waters at Dunkirk
And saved Your Servants. All Your work
Is wonderful, dear God. You strode
Before us down that dreadful road.
We were alone, and hope had fled;
We loved our country and our dead,
And could not shame them; so we stayed
The course, and were not much afraid.
Dear God that nightmare road! And then
That sea! We got there-we were men.
My eyes were blind, my feet were torn,
My soul sang like a bird at dawn!
I knew that death is but a door.
I knew what we were fighting for:
Peace for the kids, our brothers freed,
A kinder world, a cleaner breed.
I'm but the son my mother bore,
A simple man, and nothing more.
But-God of strength and gentleness,
Be pleased to make me nothing less.
Help me, O God, when Death is near
To mock the haggard face of fear,
That when I fall-if fall I must-
My soul may triumph in the Dust.
By: anonymous