A Christian Prayer For A Soldier

In the Bible, we see several times when God commanded men to fight battles to defend His people. We see how He appeared to Joshua [Joshua 5:14], David [2 Samuel 5:23-25], and other great warriors as they went into the battlefield, giving them specific directions and helping them win victory after victory. Therefore, we see in the lives of these men how God, even as we know Him to be a God of Love and Mercy and Who commanded, “You shall not kill” [Exodus 20:13], also wanted His children to fight and kill the forces of evil. 

There are still men who are called by God to wage war. Serving in the military is obedience to God’s command to love our neighbor by fighting for them. Jesus said that there is no greater love than to die for others, as He demonstrated when He suffered and died for us. [John 15:13].

Without soldiers who are true and faithful to this unique calling, their country will fall apart and forever be under the rule of the enemy. Therefore, we need to pray hard for soldiers. We may not personally know a soldier, but our prayers for them will be heard and honored by God. Let us look more closely at the things we need to pray for a soldier. 

7 Things to Pray for a Soldier

Here are some of the things we can pray for a soldier:

• Appreciation of their own role

In His wisdom and sovereignty, God saw the need for chosen and dedicated men to defend His children against oppression and injustice. These men are what we call soldiers. Not just anybody can be a soldier. One must have such great love for God and country to be called for this noble duty. A soldier should understand that it is not just a job he does to earn a living for his family. It is an honorable act of service, and they should therefore take pride and serve with utmost dedication and dignity. 

Here is a sample prayer for soldiers to appreciate their role:

Heavenly Father, thank You that there are men who responded to Your call to serve in the military to defend the freedom of our nation as well as our allied nations. We pray that these men will see for themselves that whatever their rank, their children and their children’s children will be proud of them. Help them understand that God chose them to fulfill what He declares to be the greatest love and honor—to lay down one’s own life for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

• Appreciation and support from others

If there is one group of people that should first understand and appreciate the value of what a soldier is doing, it is his family. We all know that being a soldier does not equate with a high salary. Yet it demands time away from loved ones and embracing the risk of the soldier not returning home when war is over. A spouse or family that does not appreciate a soldier’s role is likely to discourage him from doing his duty. He needs support, not only from his family but from friends and relatives as well.

Here is how we can pray for this need:

Heavenly Father, You have shown to us how highly You look at the role of soldiers. In many parts of the Bible, You cited the life of a soldier to illustrate how we should fight the forces of evil, even equipping us with the Armor of God [Ephesians 6:10-17]. Lord, may we always appreciate the sacrifice of these warriors. In whatever way – by words or acts of kindness and generosity – may we reach out to them and their families so that they may be encouraged to continue their mission. Enable our government as well to provide them with their needs for their battles as well as for their personal lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

• Physical health and strength

A soldier in battle cannot eat three times a day like most of us do. He cannot sleep eight hours a day like we do. They do not even have a bed as comfortable as what we enjoy in our homes. Hunger, thirst, extreme cold or heat, fatigue, unclean air—all these hazards pose a danger to the health of soldiers. Their strength is bound to fail as they fight day and night on the battlefield. We need to pray for them that God may sustain their health and strength so they can serve their duty.

Here is how we can pray for them:

O Lord of Strength, our soldiers face all kinds of hazards as they engage in battle day and night. We look upon You to sustain their health and strength. Provide them with food and water, and give them rest when they are tired and weary. Keep them away from viruses that endanger their well-being, and if illness strikes them, be their Jehovah Rapha Who heals and restores their bodies. Let medical aid be available to them when they need it, especially in times when they may be injured. Be their strength when they are weak. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

• Strength against temptations 

When John the Baptist called for repentance, a group of soldiers approached him and asked what they needed to do. John’s answer was directed at temptations with money [Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” Luke 3:14]. For indeed, soldiers in those times and even to this day could be tempted to use their authority to make more money. But since they’re far from their partners, perhaps the more common temptation soldiers face is loneliness, and so they resort to finding pleasures of the flesh whenever they have the chance. This could easily result in the breakdown of marriage and family. Soldiers need strength to resist these temptations.

Here is a sample prayer for strength against temptations:

Oh Lord our God, we know that being away from home is tough. Our soldiers go through such loneliness that they can be easily tempted to find pleasure. Lord, may they always remember that their loved ones are waiting for them to come home. But may You also strengthen their wives so that they may be able to fight the temptation to be unfaithful to their husbands who are out in the battlefield. And Lord, we know that being a soldier is not a high-paying job, so help our soldiers not to abuse their authority in order to make money. Help them to fight evil and acknowledge You in all their ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

• Courage and Protection

One of the greatest warriors in the Bible, King David, depended on God for protection as he faced his foes [2 Samuel 22]. He called Him his rock, refuge, fortress, and other names signifying that he could always run to God for safety. This is because in those times, when he faced his greatest perils and the mightiest of his foes, God delivered him and helped him to defeat them. So, if our soldiers can just have the faith of David and all the great warriors from Biblical times, they can also seek the same protection from God.

Here is a sample prayer for courage and protection:

Almighty God, we have seen how You delivered great men from the hand of the wicked, how You instructed them with every detail about how to conquer their foes, and how You honored their faith by giving them victory in the battles they fought. Father, our soldiers need the same wisdom, courage, and protection because they are also fighting on behalf of Your children. Grant that they may come home to their loved ones when war is over. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

• Closeness to God

The Bible says that David always meditated on God’s Word and His mighty deeds [Psalms 77, 119]. He was in constant communion with God, pouring out his fears and loneliness and drawing comfort from Him. Our soldiers need not feel alone. They can always talk to God and feel His loving presence. Whenever possible, they need to read and meditate on His Word and thus continue in their spiritual growth even in a country far from home.

Here is how we can pray for them:

Father in heaven, thank You that even in a country where they are sent to fight their battle, soldiers have access to You anytime. You are always near them to hear their cries of loneliness and anguish. Make it possible for them to read Your Word and grow in the knowledge of Christ our Savior amid all the dangers that they face every day. And as they conquer their enemies, may they give all the glory to Your name, keep praising You, and declare that truly You are the God Who never leaves nor forsakes them.

• Ability and boldness to share God’s Word

God wants everyone to hear His Word, His promise of salvation, wherever we are—even in a place devastated by war or on the battlefield, where fear grips everyone’s heart. But in an army of fighting soldiers, there could only be one or a few who know Christ. Not everybody has accepted Him as their personal Savior. It is, therefore, an opportune time for a follower of Jesus to spread the good news of salvation. There is absolutely no reason to be ashamed or afraid to share the Gospel [For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16].

Here is how we can pray for soldiers:

Lord our God, thank You for planting a seed in the heart of that person or those men that You will use for the advancement of Your kingdom, even in a war-torn country. Let our Christian soldiers be a living testimony of Your awesome power by sharing the Gospel to those who need Jesus. May You bind them in worship, love, and fellowship, and may they strengthen one another as they serve You and their country. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Conclusion

Being a soldier is a profession of the highest calling and honor. No freedom is won or retained by a country without soldiers who fight for it. And no soldier can come out victorious in a battle without God directing, strengthening, and equipping him. We therefore need to pray hard for them, as they have various needs. We need to lift up each of these needs to God and trust that He will hear them from heaven. That is His promise [Psalm 91].