God of us all, we pray this day for all those who are in service to our country in our military forces. We ask that you would watch over, care for, and protect them. We know that their jobs are difficult, straining every nerve, muscle, and fiber of their being, so give them the strength that they need to carry out their duties well.
For those who are serving far from their home: Grant that their sense of loneliness and separation from family and friends be ameliorated by camaraderie, by frequent communications with home, and by a sense of your comforting Presence.
For those who are serving in places of active conflict: Give them the alertness, the energy, and the stamina that they need to endure this time of conflict. We pray that any and all conflict would come to a quick and peaceful resolution.
For those who serve Stateside and/or in the Reserves: We ask that you give them the wisdom that they need for their work and the courage to stand ready to move quickly, if Orders should come to do so. We also thank you for their willingness and ability to move into areas of natural disaster or other local emergencies, and for their faithfulness in assisting those who are in great turmoil and need.
For Military Chaplains: Surround them with your loving grace and compassion. May your grace and love be made known through their ministries by all those whose lives they touch.
For Military Families: Send forth your Spirit to provide them the strength that they need. Enable them to endure times of separation from their loved ones, and provide them with the ability to love and care for their family members through mail, telephone calls, email, and other communications.
Grant that we all will remember to be grateful to those who serve or who have served in the military. Help us to support them by our care, our concern, and our prayers.
Finally, O God, we pray for the day when your Kingdom truly comes in this world, when wars and conflicts cease, and when we all become one family in Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we pray. Amen