How to Pray for Our Troops This Christmas

December 6, 2010 - This Christmas season, many of our troops will be far from home and facing danger. Being separated from loved ones during the holidays is one of the most trying times for military members and their families. But we can offer them the gift of our prayers.

We asked chaplains at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Bragg for ideas on how people can pray specifically for the military this Christmas and year-round. Please join us in lifting up the prayers they submitted.

At Christmas:

• That soldiers will find peace and joy in the fact that God sent His son, Jesus to be our Savior, Redeemer and Shepherd.
• That deployed military will reach out to one another during Christmas rather than recluse to themselves.
• That Christian men and women will share their faith with their battle buddies.
• That families of deployed military will know the peace, joy and love that God offers through Jesus.
• For families to find reconciliation and forgiveness as they reunite after deployment.
• For military and families grieving the loss of loved ones in combat.
• Pray for wounded military recovering from traumatic injuries.

Pray that Soldiers will have Strength:

• To become their best, carry out their tasks and complete the mission.
• To make tough decisions, and command with morality and wisdom.
• To serve others and set the example, demonstrating American virtues.

When our Service Members are:

• Training: that they will have strength to develop and build themselves and their units.
• Deployed and in harm's way: that God will grant them strength to face the challenges before them (protection and safety).
• Wounded and recovering: that God will help them to rebuild, find purpose, accept their situation, and love themselves as they are.
• Returning home: that that will be able to forgive (post traumatic stress disorders).
• Reintegrating with family: that they will have the strength to live with value, loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage.

For Military Families:

• That God will help soldiers to lead and nurture their families as spouses and parents.
• That they will rely on God’s protection and safety, both at home and when deployed.
• That God will help them face the challenges before them — separation and hardship.
• That families will accept returning wounded warriors who may have traumatic brain injuries, disfigurement and dismemberment.

Read about Billy Graham and Pearl Harbor Day »

FEATURED VIDEO: Don't miss this very touching segment featuring the children of military men and women! (Top left of page.)