A Police Officer Prayer

There are many vocations in this world for which prayer is an inherent need due to the nature of the work. Prayer is inherently essential (regardless of one’s job) because in everything we are to depend on God. (Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people;  pour out your hearts to him,  for God is our refuge.) tells us that we are to always trust in God. We are to trust Him in big or small things and in every area and aspect of our lives. Our trust in God is put into action as we come to Him in prayer, casting to Him the concerns that we have, knowing that He is sovereign over everything, and being assured that we are in good hands with His providence. 

Heavenly Father, as I do my duty as a police officer to protect society from evil, I know You are also the One Who protects me from evil. You are the One Who watches over me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 

What Can You Pray As a Police Officer?

What are the usual concerns that a police officer could have? For sure, safety is one of them. Whether you are a detective who investigates cases or a patrol officer, there is always a chance you will encounter some form of danger. While investigating a case by visiting a particular location, a detective could encounter a hostile person. He could even be targeted for just simply being assigned a case. A police officer who is on patrol duty expects to encounter people with criminal tendencies along the way. No matter what position or responsibility a police officer has, there is always an inherent danger in varying degrees. Therefore, praying for safety is always fitting (Psalm 23:4; Psalm 91:1-2).

As a police officer prays for his safety, he can also pray for the safety of his family, friends, and fellow police officers. Perhaps a police officer has been receiving threats. In that case, they can pray for the safety and protection of their family. Praying for fellow police officers is something they can regularly do, knowing that police officers always have a chance of encountering danger as they do their jobs (1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people).

Along with matters of safety and protection, a police officer can also pray for other aspects of life. For example, they can pray to God for the grace and wisdom needed to be a competent police officer who is able to do a good job (Proverbs 22:29). The nature of work that police officers have puts their lives and liberty at stake. A gunfight could take place, the findings of their investigation could put them in danger, etc. So, competence in what they do is essential.

Also, as a police officer who has surrendered his life to Christ, your primary job is being an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). You are there to be a minister of reconciliation and preach the Gospel of Christ, in which all men can be reconciled with the Father. You can pray for the grace to be a faithful witness of Christ at your workplace, to be the salt and light there (Matthew 5:13-16), that your fellow police officers believe the Gospel that you preach to them, and that they repent.

Heavenly Father, I thank You because You are a gracious God. You give me the grace to be excellent in my work as a police officer and to be a faithful witness of Yours for my fellow police officers, reflecting their character and holiness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

How Can You Pray as a Police Officer?

You can pray as a police officer by always praying before you go to work. You can do this right after you wake up, as you travel to the precinct, or any time before you begin your work. As you come before God in prayer, remember that You come from a humble heart; you pray because you depend on God. 

You can think of all the concerns that you have as a police officer, and lift them all to God in prayer. In Philippians 4:6-7, it is written that as we lift our prayer requests to God, His peace, which transcends all understanding, shall guard our hearts and minds. 

Heavenly Father, as I go to work today and conduct my patrol, protect me and my partner from criminals that we may encounter. I pray that we will not be forced to resort to lethal means and that You will use me to bring any person we apprehend to Christ. Help me be faithful in my work and never ashamed of preaching the Gospel to my fellow police officers. Protect my family and my fellow police officers, just as we also protect society. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Whatever happens, know that God is always enthroned in the heavens, as shown in Psalm 97. The wicked may plan and devise their deeds, but the LORD, being sovereign, only laughs at them. It is this same God Who watches over you and holds all things together. Indeed, the work of a police officer has inherent dangers. But as Christians, we have nothing to lose. As we live, we live for Christ, and if we die, it is gain, for we are with Christ Himself (Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.).