Soldier's Prayers

Included on this page is a collection of prayers that a soldier can pray over his life, or that the family and friends of loved ones in the armed forces can pray over them. These are short prayers included that a solider can memorize and recall while away serving his country. 

A Soldier's Prayer

Father,

Thank you for the example of David, the warrior king who poured out his heart to you from the midst of battle. Whether he was running for his life, fighting for his countrymen, or celebrating a victory, his thoughts often turned to you. 

Sometimes he wept in fear and frustration. Other times he wrestled with doubt, discouragement, or loneliness. When sin broke his heart (and yours), he talked to you then, too. His example reminds me I can come to you no matter what I’m facing, and you will hear my prayer. 

I praise you, Father, as Lord of the universe and the supreme commander in chief. You direct world affairs for your purpose and your glory. Nothing happens apart from your will. I can rest, knowing that everything that comes into my life has been filtered through your fingers of love.  Help me trust you and believe. When my faith wavers, help me in my unbelief.

You tell us in your Word that if we regard sin in our hearts, you will not hear us, so I begin this time of prayer with confession. Forgive me, Lord, for the ways I’ve failed you. For the times when I’ve sinned against you in word, thought, or deed. Forgive me, too, for the times when I could have done good, but didn’t. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Amen. 

A Soldier's Prayer For Safety

Father, I commit my life into your hands. Whether on land, sea, or in the air, guard and keep me. Protect me from enemy assault, accidents, and errors in judgment. Protect my comrades, too.

A Soldier's Prayer For Protection from Enemies

Every day, God, I face enemies from without and enemies from within. You tell us in your Word that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and the forces of wickedness in high places. Bind Satan and his influence in the world. Render powerless those who work for him and with him. Confuse and thwart their plans. Surround me with your angels and let no weapon formed against me prosper. Hide me in the shelter of your wings.

A Soldier's Prayer For Endurance

Lord, as the nights turn into days and the days blur into nights, I grow weary. I never finish the work. For every one project I complete, I find two more waiting to take its place. Every patrol, watch, or duty I log seems to be just one of an endless cycle. I wonder if I’m making a difference, or just wasting time, energy, and resources. Remind me that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. I need eagle strength today, Lord. Help me run the race with perseverance, knowing there is a reward at the end. More than anything, I want to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

A Soldier's Prayer For Purity

The temptations are many, Father, and sometimes my resolve grows weak. Help me, like the psalmist, commit to set no unclean thing before my eyes. Give me strength to turn to off, turn away, or walk away from anything that compromises my purity or my commitment to those I love. Guard me from anyone who would endanger the vows I’ve made to my spouse. You promise not to allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear. Help me see and take the way out you provide so I can stand up under any temptation. Help me make no provision for the flesh. Give me wisdom to recognize potentially dangerous situations and avoid them.

A Soldier's Prayer For Protection from Loneliness

One of the hardest parts of deployment, Lord, is being away from those I love. Even though I’m surrounded by people, my loneliness for family and friends is often profound. Knowing that their lives are passing by without my participation makes the ache even greater. Let these empty times prompt me to pray for those I love. Help me remember, too, that I’m never truly alone. You are a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and even if I travel to the ends of the earth or the depths of the sea, you are there. Surround me with your presence and be my faithful companion.

A Soldier's Prayer For Opportunities to be a Witness

Father, I know I’m not here by accident. You’ve placed me here to defend my country and be a part of your plan to spread the gospel to the end of the earth. You’ve called me to be a light for you. Sometimes, though, in the busyness of the day, I forget there’s is a higher purpose to my existence. I’m not just here to be a soldier in my country’s army, but a soldier in your army. Help me fight the good fight, stand for what’s right even when it costs me, and share your Word with those around me. Give me courage to speak the truth in love and sacrificially serve my compatriots. 

A Soldier's Prayer For Freedom from Fear

In the thick of a firestorm, the uncertainty of a mission, or the pause between one assignment and the next, fear often wraps its icy fingers around my heart. I fear dying, dismemberment, and dishonor.  To number my fears would take all day, but you, Lord, know them all, and yet you tell me, “Fear not.” Calm my anxious heart and fill me with your peace. Grow my faith, and remind me to pray instead of worry. 

A Soldier's Prayer For My Family

One of the hardest things about serving in the military is being separated from those I love. Guard and keep my parents, spouse, and children. Be their defender and protector. Meet the needs I cannot meet and remind them of your love for them. Give me opportunities to communicate often. 

Help me not be lazy or apathetic in my interactions with them, but motivate me to make every effort to stay engaged and connected. Where relationships have suffered because of time, distance, and circumstances, draw us close again. Give me creative ways to demonstrate how much I care. Bring others into their lives who will stand in the gap for me until I return. Bless them, Lord, in special ways.

Thank you, Father, for hearing my prayer today. I’m grateful I can come to you, as Daniel prayed, not on the basis of my own righteousness, but because of your great mercy. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

As the mother-in-law of a United States Naval officer serving with the Sixth Fleet, Lori Hatcher understands the needs of military personnel. Lori’s a blogger, inspirational speaker, and author of the Christian Small Publisher’s 2016 Book of the Year, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women. A Toastmasters International contest-winning speaker, Lori’s goal is to help busy women connect with God in the craziness of everyday life. She especially loves small children, soft animals, and chocolate. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@lorihatcher2) or Pinterest (Hungry for God).

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