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6 Powerful Prayers for Each of Our Brave First Responders

  • Barbara Latta Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
  • Updated Oct 16, 2024
6 Powerful Prayers for Each of Our Brave First Responders

Natural disasters, crime, accidents, and sickness contribute to the multitude of emergency calls first responders receive every day.

The recent weather patterns of Hurricane Helene left millions without power, water, cell coverage, or internet service. Flooding rampaged through areas in ways not seen before and left waves of carnage that will take months, if not years, to repair and recover from.

Now, we are faced with Hurricane Milton as this deadly storm approaches Florida.

First responders put their own lives, health, and comfort on the line as they seek to rescue those impacted and provide for their needs. At times, these tasks change into recovery methods, and these brave people have to face the possibility of finding death.

Emergency personnel are trained for their jobs. They know what lies before them, and sometimes, they face the worst moments of their careers when they see the horrible fate of people who couldn’t avoid the worst-case scenario. But these workers are still human, and their emotions take a toll, their bodies become exhausted, and sometimes they suffer from illness due to dangerous environmental exposure.

PTSD can overwhelm their lives due to the trauma they uncover. But they still remain faithful to their posts and work tirelessly through unfavorable conditions.

We may not know all of them personally, but what they do benefits us. When the power is restored, or the internet works again, we are thankful. We don’t always think about what transpired behind the scenes to bring us back to the life we are accustomed to. We don’t know what someone did in the dark, the cold, or the heat to restore downed power lines, fix water pipes, or get that all-necessary internet fixed.

How can we say thank you to these heroes?

The main thing we can do is lift them up to the Lord.

Here are 6 ways we can pray for the ones in these different emergency service jobs.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/gorodenkoff

  • an ambulance, Crossroads Church pastor and his wife die in a tragic car accident

    1. Emergency Medical Professionals

    Father, we thank you for the technology and intelligence You have provided that have given us access to treatments and medicine we have never had before. We know that all healing comes from You. At times, those who work in the medical field, which includes doctors, nurses, technicians, and EMTs, can see such traumatic injuries that those of us not in their area of work could withstand. They may become exposed to life-threatening viruses and bacteria that can also hurt them. We ask You to put Your hedge around them so that any germ they encounter will die before it can invade their bodies, too. We ask you for wisdom in treatment decisions and the ability to be calm and gentle when dealing with difficult patients.

    We ask You to give access to life-saving medicine and the necessary equipment to always be made available to them.

    Amen.

    Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. (Luke 5:31 NIV)

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Matt Gush 

  • Police car lights, at least 8 killed in Indianapolis mass shooting

    2. Police Officers

    Father, thank You for the men and women who faithfully discharge their duties to fight the criminal element. Because of the fall of man, evil has enveloped the world. Those who don’t know You act on that emptiness within by allowing selfishness and greed to dominate their actions which cause robberies, murder, and assault.

    Please provide the funds our law enforcement personnel need to keep their equipment up to date and to have a fully funded staff. Provide for their protection as they fight criminal elements in every city. Help them know how to talk to perpetrators who may be holding hostages so that no one gets hurt. Give them compassion during painful situations that involve children and parents so they can do the right thing for all involved.

    Help them know how to discern lies from the truth when they investigate and interview suspects. Please show them clues that will help solve crimes so the guilty ones won’t go free.

    Give them the ability to stop unsafe situations before they start, as they may interact with disturbed and panicked people who try to get away from danger.

    Amen.

    For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:4)

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/z1b  

  • fire fighter standing in front of flames in grassy field, prayer for california fires

    3. Firefighters

    Father in heaven, you are Lord over this earth. You have given us the blessing of living on Your creation. Sometimes, things happen that cause great grief. Thank You for bestowing the desire to help others into certain individuals that give them the sacrificial spirit to risk their lives to save others. We pray for Your shield of protection on firefighters as they work to save homes, businesses, and land.  We pray for all the resources they need to be provided for them, that they will have access to water for their hoses and the suppression appliances that will put these flames to an end.

    Losing a home to a fire is a nightmare no one wants to experience. The loss of possessions can’t compare to the loss of a family member in this tragic way. We thank You for these men and women who traverse into fiery jungles to determine if living persons, or even pets, may be in harm’s way.

    Please give each department the necessary personnel to get the job done. May leadership be wise in determining where they are needed the most. Amen.

    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2)

    Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Kara Capaldo 

  • electrical lineman power lines first responders utility workers

    4. Electrical Linemen

    Lord, in our modern world, we have become so accustomed to our comforts that we can get grumpy when they are interrupted. Storms can take out power, and we can’t cook or have lights for a time. The crews that work to repair downed power lines need your protection also, Lord. They may be working in bad weather to complete their jobs.

    Help us to be patient with the work that needs to be done and learn to live without certain conveniences for a while. Give us the knowledge to prepare ahead of time so when we don’t have electricity, we can still do what is necessary. We can find other ways to cook, and we can live without checking email. Our ability to text or make phone calls does provide us with a way to check on loved ones, but we can certainly live without playing electronic games or watching movies.

    Help us to appreciate those who give up their comforts to go out into the night to bring us light again.

    Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)

    Photo Credit: Unsplash/American Public Power Association 

  • Volunteers building a home; gathering treasures in heaven.

    5. Construction Workers, Clean Up Crews, and Rescue and Recovery

    Dear God, these recent hurricanes left so much destruction that will require months and years of clean-up. Please guide the crews that will build roads and bridges to find the areas they need to work on first. We ask You for necessary supplies to come to areas that are hard hit and without anything. Help them to get through the debris and washed-out roads to free people who may be trapped. Keep these workers safe as they traverse dangerous ground.

    Help them to know where they can go to avoid other tragedies. Protect their emotions as they may find people who have died.

    Thank you for the organizations that provide relief. Give us discernment regarding monetary donations and volunteer opportunities to help them continue with their work.

    Amen.

    If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has not pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (1 John 3:17)

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Robert Daly 

  • Military chaplain, Chaplain under fire for endorsing John Piper

    6. Military Members

    Dear God,

    Thank You for giving us a military force to protect our country in various times of attack from foreign invaders and groups. We also thank You that we have these forces to assist in times of disasters where National Guardsmen and Coast Guard protect and save those who are trapped.

    It’s unfortunate that during times of calamity we see crime escalate, so we ask that you give the National Guard the insight and wisdom to halt looting of damaged property. Please protect these men and women who may come into situations where they are required to use force against the guilty to be able to protect the innocent.

    Help the Coast Guard to find those who may have been swept away in torrential waters. Keep them safe as they may still sail or fly into hazardous weather conditions to search for stranded citizens.

    Amen.

    God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-2)

    Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Im Yeongsik

  • hands together praying over bible with lit candle, christians prayer closet

    Prayer for All

    Heavenly Father, we ask you to provide a haven for all these workers to have a place of rest and refreshment. Please give them wisdom to know they need to take breaks and renew their bodies so they will have the stamina to continue in their work.

    Guide them to seek You for emotional and spiritual support. Protect their minds from the horrible things they may encounter that could touch them and their families for years to come.

    Help us also to thank them all and not take for granted the conveniences we enjoy, the medical breakthroughs, the equipment that builds and recovers, and those who keep us safe. Show us ways we can express appreciation for what they do. Help us not to become so comfort-minded that we fail to see what life would be like without these hard-working and self-sacrificing individuals.

    May we give You glory and honor and not blame You when these tragedies occur. We know You are a God of love and compassion. You are not the Lord of these catastrophic events. Because we live on this cursed earth, certain problems transpire that affect us all.

    We ask You to remind us to seek You and rely on Your Word to protect us from future harm. As we stand in faith, we know that Your Word is the greatest weapon we have against the enemy who wants to destroy us.

    May we allow Your light to shine across our world to defeat the evil that attacks and brings darkness.

    Thank You for Your love, mercy, and compassion.

    In Jesus’ name,

    Amen.

    Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang 

    barbara latta profile pictureBarbara Latta lived as an Arkansas girl until she wed her sweetheart. She never dreamed she would reside in seven states and visit eight countries in this marriage adventure with finally settling in Georgia in 1993. Riding on the back of her husband’s Harley inspired her book, God’s Maps, Stories of Inspiration and Direction for Motorcycle Riders. Some rides take them to historic and scenic sites combined with stops at antique and flea markets. Barbara and her husband enjoy life with two sons, one daughter-in-love, and an energetic granddaughter who frequently gets her hands messy in paints, clay, and other art projects. Barbara writes articles for online sites and anthologies, and about living in our identity in Christ at www.barbaralatta.com.