A Soldier's Prayer

Soldiers face many battles and not just the kind fought with guns and bullets. Everyday, they are exposed to atrocities, injustice and the dilemma that can only be experienced by people who can decide between life and death. Soldiers are trained to be brave but they are all but human. For every soldier out there who wishes for spiritual strength and grace, here are a few prayers you can turn to for comfort in times of war and especially in times of peace:

PRAYER for PROTECTION

(This prayer was originally written by James Dillet Freeman for soldiers fighting during WWII. During the 1969 moon landing, Buzz Aldrin brought the prayer with him on board the Apollo.)

The light of God surrounds me;

The love of God enfolds me;
The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches
over me;
Wherever I am, God is! 

A SOLDIER's MORNING PRAYER

      Into thy hands, O God, I commend myself this day. Let thy presence be with me even to its close, that at night I may again give thanks unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Grant, O Lord, that I may not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ‘s faithful soldier and servant unto my life‘s end. Amen.

    Defend, O Lord, this thy Child with thy heavenly grace; that I may continue thine for ever; and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until I come unto thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.

A SOLDIER's EVENING PRAYER

    The God of peace himself sanctify me wholly, and may my spirit and soul and body be preserved entire without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

    Abide with us, O Lord, this night, and with all the sick and sorrowful, the forsaken and weary, to strengthen and to cheer, and to give rest. Amen.

    Thine is the day, O Lord, and thine the night; Grant that the sun of righteousness may abide in our hearts, to drive away the darkness of evil thoughts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    O Lord, Lover of men, who forgivest us our sins; Cleanse us of all that is base or selfish, and make us to be in all things thy servants, and the messengers of thy love. Amen.

    Grant, O Lord, that we may meet all difficulties and temptations with a stedfast heart, in the strength of thy indwelling spirit. Amen.

    Shield us, O God, from the darkness of soul which seeth thee not, and from the loneliness of heart which heareth not thy voice, and through life and in the valley of the shadow of death, forsake us not; for thy Name‘s sake. Amen.

    Deepen and quicken in us, O God, a sense of thy Presence, and make us to know and feel that thou art more ready to teach and to give than we to ask or to learn; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother.
May I know thee more clearly,
May I love thee more dearly,
May I follow thee more nearly. Amen.

    O Saviour of the world, who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us; Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord. Amen.

 PSALM 91

 (Psalm 91 is a prayer invoked in times of great distress, hardship and danger. )

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty

Say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust."

God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague,

Will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge;

God's faithfulness is a protecting shield.

You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,

Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon.

Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come.

You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see.

You have the LORD for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold.

No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent.

For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.

With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon.

Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high.

All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; 

I will deliver them and give them honor.

With length of days I will satisfy them and show them my saving power.

 And finally, a favorite prayer not just for soldiers but for every man and woman who go through physical, emotional and spiritual trials everyday...

PSALM 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.