A Christian Soldiers Prayer

Suppose you are a Christian serving in the armed forces of your nation. In that case, it is God whom you depend on when it comes to everything, whether it is about your protection, well-being, or other aspects of your career as a soldier. A Christian soldier should always depend on God, whether he is in a combat division or not. Protection is not the only thing that a soldier can pray for. He can also pray for his heart and character to always serve his country and fellowmen with selflessness and faithfulness to his duties. Here is a prayer that you can pray as you serve your country:

Heavenly Father, I pray that I will always be selfless, dedicated, and persevering in serving my country and my fellow men. Give me the grace to serve with excellence. Help me be the salt and light in the armed forces, whatever my role or occupational specialty is. I pray that I will set a good example to others and witness Christ to them by the way I serve. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

How do you pray for protection?

Soldiers in a combat division are not the only ones who should pray for protection. Even those assigned to non-combat roles can be in danger if their base comes under attack or for any other reason, like an accident in the handling of ammunition and ordinances. That is why you should pray for protection regardless of whether you are on the frontlines, the headquarters or a military hospital. Maybe you don’t need to pray for yourself, but for your fellow soldiers on the frontlines. 

You can pray this prayer as you pray for protection as you serve in the armed forces:

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will protect me as I serve my nation and fellow citizens. Protect me as I do my duty to protect my country. Give me, my fellow soldiers, and my superior officer the grace and wisdom to always make wise choices regarding every move we make. I pray that You will keep me safe from any explosive or bullet. I thank You, Father, because whatever happens, I am eternally secured in Christ. To live is Christ, and to die is gain. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

As a soldier who is not on the frontlines, you can also pray for the protection of your fellow soldiers. You can use this sample prayer as you pray for their safety:

Father in heaven, I pray for the protection of my fellow soldiers who are serving on the frontlines and may engage enemy combatants. I pray that You will keep them safe from any enemy ambush. Protect them from all kinds of harm and danger so that all of them will be able to come home to their families safe and in one piece. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What does Christianity say about soldiers?

Other Christians believe that being a soldier, especially in combat where you engage with enemies, is a kind of occupation that a Christian should never take. This is because they believe that murder is inherent in the job. Their basis for this is, of course, God’s law, where it was written in Exodus 20:13:

Exodus 20:13

Thou shalt not kill.

However, we must understand that killing in war is different from murder. A soldier on a mission to rescue a hostage who ends up killing an enemy during the rescue is different from a man who is bitter towards another person and chooses to kill that person. The latter is different. It is murder. When it comes to war, where soldiers sometimes kill someone, it is different. They killed someone because they were in a war. If such a thing is a sin, then God Himself wouldn’t have commanded Israel to go to wars that involved so much blood being spilled. The Old Testament is filled with accounts about wars and blood being spilled. One example is Joshua, whom God told to be strong and courageous as Israel began its conquest in taking the land that God has promised to them. It is written in Joshua 1:6:

Joshua 1:6

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Even David himself killed Goliath during the standoff between the armies of Israel and Philistine, as written in 1 Samuel 17:50-51:

1 Samuel 17:50-51

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Even if a Christian is serving in the armed forces or is a soldier on the frontlines, he can still give God glory and work heartily for Him. As a soldier, he should always aim to be honorable, just, lovely, pure, true, and commendable, as written in Philippians 4:8:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Given all of the things we mentioned, here is how you can pray as you strive to be a soldier that honors God:

Heavenly Father, I thank You because it is a privilege to serve my country. Always remind me, Father, that I primarily work for You as a soldier. I pray that if ever I have to kill in times of battle or war, may it be because I am in a war and never due to my taking pleasure from it. Give me the grace to be an honorable and God-fearing soldier who is both salt and light to the world. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What does it mean to be a soldier in God’s army?

We, as Christians, are to be good soldiers of Christ. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, it is written:

2 Timothy 2:3-4

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

When you join the armed forces, the training is hard, and soldier candidates are intentionally made to suffer during their training. It is not intended to abuse them (that is different, and it is a crime), but to make them tough as nails and prepared for what they will face as soldiers. These sufferings do not end with their training. Even as active-duty soldiers, they still go through suffering. One example of this is when there is a fallen comrade. However, they persevere and endure, despite their suffering, and proceed to complete the mission objectives. As a soldier of Christ, we also must endure whatever suffering we are going through in this world. We are to keep persevering by the grace of God and keep on doing our mission, which is to make disciples. Also, as soldiers of Christ, we ought to please Him and not other men.

Another thing that we have to keep in mind is that, as Christians, we are also at war with spiritual enemies. It is written in 2 Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 6:12, and 1 Timothy 1:18: 

2 Corinthians 10:4

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1 Timothy 1:18

This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

We Christians are at war not against other human beings, but against the spiritual forces of darkness—Satan and his friends. If militaries have weapons to stand against their adversaries, we as Christians also have weapons against our spiritual enemies. The ultimate weapon that we have is the Gospel of Christ, which demolishes the bondage of sin and any stronghold. As Christians, we are always on the offensive against the devil and his kingdom of darkness. They are fighting a losing battle. As we fight spiritual battles, we have to always put on the full armor of God. As a soldier, you cannot go to battle without your gear and rifle, and as a Christian, you should always put on the full armor of God. It is written in Ephesians 6:1–24:

Ephesians 6:1–24

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Also, when it comes to spiritual warfare and doing the Great Commission, always remember 1 John 4:4:

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

As a soldier of Christ, here is one of the prayers you can pray:

Heavenly Father, I pray that I shall always be a good soldier of Christ. Give me the grace to persevere and endure, no matter what sufferings I encounter in life. I thank You, Lord, because I can still live a dynamic and victorious life in Christ, despite the sufferings that I go through. I pray, Father, that as a soldier of Christ, I shall be strong in You and that I shall always be faithful to You and will always aim to please You. Help me to keep on making disciples and obeying Your commands, no matter how hard things become. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Being a soldier is a good opportunity to be the salt and light to the world. Like what salt does, which is to preserve, you can preserve what is good by serving in the armed forces. One example is protecting your country from invaders. Always keep an eternal mindset when you are serving as a soldier, firm in the belief that everything you do, you are doing for the glory of God.