Prayer For Soldiers At Christmas
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.
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.
Lord God, Almighty Father,
creator of mankind and author of peace,
as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess,
we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces.
Give them courage, hope and strength.
May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love and compassionate healing.
Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light.
To you be all glory, honor and praise, now and forever.
Amen.
Dear Lord,
I'm praying for all those who have a loved one on deployment around the globe. I know this time of year can be a challenge, even if the deployment isn't necessarily in a war zone. Being separated from those we care about is always hard.
I'm asking that you give these families a special peace this holiday season. Give them lots of opportunities to spend time in communication with their loved onesthrough whatever means available. Thank you for all the different ways we have now to communicate around the world. Make sure packages and letter arrive in a timely fashion. Keep the digital and telephone lines clear and free from static.
Fill the days with activities to take their minds from the emptiness they feel. Surround them with friends and family who understand their struggles and can support them in ways that provide just what they need. Put people in their lives to be Your hands and feet during this stressful holiday season.
Remind them of the blessings that still surround them. Don't let them withdraw. Instead help them to take part in the joy of this season.
Most of all, give them tangible proof that You are there with them and with their loved one. Remind them of Your great love and all the ways You watch over the entire family, those at home and deployed.
Amen.
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give
And to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals & badges, awards of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark & dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall & pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.
His face so gentle, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,
I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night
Owed their lives to these men who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of soldiers like this one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees & started to cry.
The soldier awakened & I heard a rough voice,
Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps.
With that he rolled over & drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent & still,
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray & black,
With an eagle & an Army patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
whispered with a voice so clean & pure,
Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure.
One look at my watch, & I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, & to all a good night!
Heavenly Father, we come before you today before this great fight against an entrenched enemy. I pray that you will shield these sons of freedom today from arrows of fire and brimstone. Protect them, Lord, touch them in the heat of battle, heal their
wounds, give them courage to carry the fight. And, if it be Lord God that you must bring some of your children home today, I pray that you make their burden light, their pain slight and their journey quick. Please, Lord,
wherever there is terror this day, that you give these men the courage to persevere, to do your work. Today Lord, give comfort to those who are breathing their last, who hurt and feel faint, and love those who cannot lift
their weapon in anger. Love them, nurture them in your Heavenly Mansion. As you say in your word, Psalms 91, He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
Give these brave lads that same courage and conviction that your Word is true and near to their hearts. May it give them peace as they go forth this day into battle. On Your word, we find our foundation. In Jesus name we pray, Amen."
WE THANK THEE, LORD, FOR THY PROTECTION.
I HAVEN'T SAID THAT SINCE I WAS A CHILD, LORD,
BUT TODAY ON THY DAY, I SAY IT ONCE MORE
AND THIS TIME, MORE THAN ANY OTHER,
THESE THANKS COME FROM THE HEART.
NOT SO MUCH FOR THE CHRISTMAS DINNER
SERVED TO US HERE IN THIS ORCHARD IN BELGIUM,
OR ON A RAIN-SOAKED PLAN ON LEYTE ISLAND,
OR IN ITALY, OR ON A SHIP AT SEA.
BUT MORE, LORD, FOR THE RICHER FOOD
THAT A BLESSED MEMORY SERVES US;
THE FOOD OF RECOLLECTION
OF OTHER, BETTER CHRISTMAS DAYS
HAPPY DAYS WITH THOSE WE LOVE,
GOOD CHEER, AND GIFTS, AND HAPPY GREETINGS
EXCHANGED BY ALL OF US EACH WITH THE OTHERS
AND WHILE WE THANK THEE, LORD,
FOR THOSE MEMORIES,
WE REVERENTLY AND HUMBLY ASK
THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER CHRISTMAS DAYS
FOR US NOW SO DISTANT FROM OUR HOMES;
DAYS WHEN WE MAY JOIN WITH THOSE WE LOVE
IN A WORLD OF PEACH AND GOOD WILL,
MAY SIT WITH THE FAMILIES WE HOLD DEAR
AND GIVE THANKS, WITH THEM, ONCE AGAIN.
AGAIN, LORD, WE THANK THEE FOR THY PROTECTION.
BLESS THOSE AT HOME TODAY,
HELP THEM TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE WITH THEM
IN SPIRIT MORE THAN EVER TODAY, AND
MAY THEIR DAY BE A HAPPY ONE.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
O Lord, you have indeed brought light into our lives. The joy that we feel tonight as we gather together around these tables is but a taste of the good things you pour into our lives. I thank you at this moment for the gifts of food and friendship, for the work that you enable us to do and for the times of rest that refresh us.
We are grateful for the promise that this season holds, and I pray for those in our military family who will find merriment difficult this year. For those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. For those who are separated by deployment away from friends and family. And for those still carrying around the wounds of war, whether visible or invisible. Bless us all, I pray, not with presents and packages wrapped up with bows, but by answering the deepest longings of our hearts.
I pray that the promise of peace on earth, good will among all will come to pass and that it will come, at least in a small way, because of the work that we do and the people that we are. Amen.