One of the challenges that families face whenever someone in the family is serving in the military is the possibility that they will miss being with the family during special events like Christmas. Of course, family members serving in the military do the best they can to be with their family and sometimes they do. However, there are times where they simply can’t make it. Perhaps they are stationed or deployed somewhere else during the Christmas season, or a very important duty has to be done. The good thing about today is that technology enables us to communicate and see each other, despite great distances, particularly with video calls. Knowing that your loved one in the military will be away from home during Christmas, one thing you can do is pray for your loved one. Here is an example of how you can pray for your loved one in the military who is away during the Christmas season:
Heavenly Father, I pray that even if he is deployed somewhere and is away from home during Christmas, he will still celebrate Christmas and remind himself of the reason for the season, which is Christ being born. Christ is our hope, peace, joy, and most of all, our Savior who came to save us from sin. Remind him, Father, that Christmas is not about decorations, lights, trees, potatoes, and turkey. It is about Jesus, who came to dwell among us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Christmas Prayer For Military Families
What is a good Christmas prayer?
One of the things you can pray for your loved one in the military is for their safety and protection from any harm, especially if they are serving in combat. Whether they are in combat or headquarters, you should still pray for protection upon them. Their work may take a break for a brief moment to celebrate Christmas, but war with enemy combatants rarely stops. You can pray this prayer for their safety as they celebrate Christmas:
Father in heaven, I pray that you will keep them and their comrades safe from any danger during the Christmas season. I pray, Father, that they will be able to celebrate Christmas peacefully, despite being on high alert and that they will not come under any attack from their adversaries. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Christmas Prayer For Military Families
Despite being away from home and being in a military base or outpost during Christmas, there is still a bright side to the season. Remember, Christmas is about Christ. While most people know about the Christmas season, most people don’t know the real reason for the season, which is Christ, and why He came here on earth. Of course, as a Christian, your loved one knows that it was to save us and reconcile us with God. They can share it with their fellow soldiers, who may also be celebrating Christmas, but don’t know the real reason why Christmas is celebrated. You can pray for your loved one in the military that they continue to be the salt and light there and witness Christ to them as they celebrate Christmas. It is written in Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 5:13-16, and Matthew 28:16-20:
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Matthew 5:13-16
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Here is one of the prayers you can pray for your family member or friend serving in the military, for them to be the salt and light where they are as they celebrate Christmas:
Father in heaven, I pray that [family member] will be the salt and light to others as they celebrate Christmas in [where they are deployed/assigned] with their fellow servicemen. I pray that they will take the opportunity to share with their fellow servicemen the reason for the season, which is Christ, who is our wonderful counselor and prince of peace who was born to die for our sins. Empower them, Holy Spirit, that they will be bold to share Christ with others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Christmas Prayer For Military Families
At home, you can also pray for your family as you celebrate Christmas with one of your family members in the military away from home. You can pray as a family to always remind yourselves of the joy that you have in Christ. Even if your family in the military cannot be with you to celebrate Christmas, it is still a joyous season and a beautiful moment to celebrate because you are celebrating the birth of our Savior. The joy of knowing that a Savior was born to us overshadows the sadness of not having one of your family members there to celebrate with you.
Luke 2:10-12
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
You can pray this prayer as a family as you celebrate Christmas with one of you away from home due to military service:
Heavenly Father, I pray for comfort upon my family as we celebrate Christmas with one of us away from home. I pray, Father, that we will fix our eyes and minds on Christ as we celebrate Christmas and that joy will overflow in us, as we remember that Christ was born, who is our hope. I also pray that gratitude will fill our hearts as we remember that we are celebrating the birth of the Messiah who died for our sins, freed us from the bondage of sin, and enabled us to be adopted as Your children. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Christmas Prayer For Military Families
Another thing that you can pray for as a family as you celebrate Christmas with one of you away from home is to have peace regarding your loved one’s service in the military during Christmas. As mentioned, situations in the military can be volatile. You don’t know what may happen. That is why you should pray for peace concerning your family in the military as you celebrate Christmas.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
You can offer this prayer for peace for your family with regards to your family member in the military as you celebrate Christmas:
Father in heaven, I thank You, because Christ who was born to us is our Prince of Peace. He is our peace, and He has given us His peace. I thank You, Father, because we can cast our anxieties towards You, who cares for us. I also thank You, Father, because no matter what happens, all things work together for those who are in Christ. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
A Christmas Prayer For Military Families
How can I praise God for Christmas?
As a family, it is indeed sad to have one of your family members not present as you celebrate Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you should be sad for the entire season. Truly knowing the essence of Christmas and its implications makes us overflow with joy, rather than remain consumed with sadness. The essence of Christmas is Christ. Christ paid for the penalty of our sin, made us righteous in the eyes of God, restored our standing before God, and brought us closer to God under the new covenant. The birth of Christ produces joy in us, and no earthly problem can make us feel sad or hopeless because Christmas itself is the season where our hope comes. Not to mention the unsearchable riches that we have in Christ, as well as the grace upon grace that we receive from Him.
Ephesians 3:8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
John 1:16
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Luke 1:46-47
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
A family where one of the members is serving in the military has its challenges. However, knowing that Christ came brings great comfort, despite the obstacles. Christ is our Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor. He is the one who also brings hope to us. Christ is the foundation of our joy, which enables us to be joyful no matter the hardship. Through Christ, a family can thrive and live a victorious life, despite having any challenges due to one of the family members serving in the military.
Here is a prayer that you can pray as you praise and give thanks to God this Christmas:
Father in heaven, we thank You. Despite the challenges we go through as a family, in Christ, we receive grace upon grace that empowers us to persevere and get by. In Christ, we have joy that is never dependent on our circumstances. Thank You, Father, as this is all because You sent Your Son Jesus, whose birth we celebrate. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Christmas is a joyous season because it celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is important to always fix our eyes and set our minds on the real reason for Christmas, which is Christ. Celebrating Christmas with the whole family is indeed wonderful and should be strived for. However, we have to remember that Christmas is not about family gatherings; it is about remembering the birth of our hope, Jesus Christ.