Praying for Our Troops

Sandra Higley has a nice article in Pray! News Online this week.

A lot of prayer for the situation in Iraq has gone up over the past year. And it certainly has had an impact in the heavenlies! But now, as it appears most of the fighting is over, there might be a tendency to let our prayer efforts wane as well. We want to challenge you to continue storming heaven on behalf of our troops.

Whether your focus is on our soldiers in Iraq or those in Afghanistan or Haiti, here are some Scripture-based prayers to give direction to your intercession. Use them as a starting point to fuel your own kingdom prayers for the needs of those serving our country under difficult circumstances.


Lord of Hosts, our Commander in Chief has made it clear that he fears You. As he seeks You, Lord, grant him complete success. Vindicate him by delivering coalition forces from the hand of the enemy. Then all the ends of the earth will remember and turn to You. Families from all nations will bow down before You (2 Chron. 26:5; 1 Sam. 24:15; Ps. 22:27).


Even though Satan intended this for harm, use this conflict to accomplish the saving of many lives. Grant understanding to soldiers as they make eleventh hour decisions for You. We stand against Satan and his attempts to snatch the Word away from them. Send chaplains into this harvest who are well equipped with Your word of truth (Gen. 50:20; Mk. 4:15; Lk. 10:2; Ro. 10:14).


Sovereign Lord Almighty, we recognize that you have work to do in the land of Babylon. Open Your arsenal and bring out Your weapons. We recognize our battle is not against flesh and blood. We ask for legions of angels to come a longside our military to do battle with principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual forces of evil (Jer. 50:25; Eph. 6:12).


Father, send dreams and visions to the Iraqi people before our troops arrive at their doors. Convince them to disregard the lies of the evil one. As our soldiers search from house to house and village to village, give them wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that will save them from any ambushes set by wicked men. Watch their backs as they enter unknown and dangerous situations (Jn. 8:44; Prov.. 2:6,12; Is. 52:12).


Our soldiers have laid down their weapons and dropped to their knees to diffuse a hostile situation. God of love and peace, show them when to use other weapons of righteousness such as truthful speech and love as they attempt to show a biblical worldview of peace to people who are used to deceit (2 Cor. 13:11, 6:7).


Save our troops from every trap and snare, and from every deadly chemical or biological pestilence, Lord. Teach them not to put their trust in gas masks or other protective gear, but to trust in Your name, Lord God (Ps. 91:3, 20:7).


God of peace, guard the hearts and minds of our soldiers in Christ Jesus. Supply all their needs, emotionally, spiritually, and physically as they face the horrors of war: the death and injuries, the loneliness, the tiredness, and the mistakes of friendly fire. Protect them from discouragement as they hear media reports of those who protest the war (Phil. 4:7,19).

8. Father, protect the families left at home by our military. Help them to cast all their anxiety and concerns for their loved ones on You. Thank You for caring for them (Jer. 49:11; 1 Pet. 5:7).


Jesus, we ask You to rise up and redeem every act of oppression, unkindness, or brutality perpetrated by any of our coalition forces. Send others who represent You to minister deep love to any victims of such tragic circumstances. Help our troops not to boast arrogantly or to be high-minded (Ps. 44:26, 119:134; 1 Pet. 4:8; 1 Sam. 2:3).


O Lord God, You are with our troops and You are mighty to save. May they listen to You so that they will live in safety without fear of harm. Bring them home to us (Zeph. 3:17a; Prov. 1:33; Zeph. 3:20a).