Praying For The Armed Forces And Veterans

“General George Patton believed that God was on the side of the Americans in World War II. He was a deeply religious man who reportedly read the Bible every day, yet he used profanity regularly in referring to his enemies and urging his men forward. The generals who served with Patton, such as Omar Bradley and Harry Semmes, testified to Patton’s deep faith and his reliance on prayer. As General Bradley said of Patton: ‘He strutted imperiously as a commander, but knelt humbly before his God.’

In December 1944–January 1945, Patton’s armies were fighting both Germans and the inclement weather. So he asked army chaplain Father James O’Neill for a prayer to end the “immoderate” weather and enable his troops to defeat the Germans. This was Father O’Neill’s prayer: ‘Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations.’

When the weather briefly cleared, paving the way for Patton’s forces to gain ground, Patton awarded Father O’Neill the Bronze Star. He was the only man to be awarded a medal in World War II for writing a prayer.”

• Adapted from the book Patton’s Prayer by Alex Kershaw.

Merciful Father, we honor You as the God who hears and answers prayer! Thank You for those who have served our nation since the beginning by standing in the face of fear, danger, and great evil, often at the cost of their own lives. Help our men and women currently serving, as well as our veterans, to continually find refuge under Your wings. May Your faithfulness be wrapped around them as a shield and may Your angels protect them in all their ways. We ask that their sacrifices never be forgotten and that we would be a people who keep our service members uplifted in prayer continually!

• Pray that those currently serving in the military would give their lives completely to Jesus, living to serve Him first as they protect and defend our nation.
• Pray for the families of active-duty service members who are separated from their loved ones. Ask the Father to meet their needs and keep them strong and safe.
• Pray for our veterans who are homeless and/or who struggle with addiction, hopelessness, and loss. Ask Jesus to meet them in their need with help from people who will step up to assist them.
• Pray for policies that make our military strong and not weaker. Ask the Father to prompt the hearts of those making decisions that affect our national security to be wise – not in their own eyes, but in Yours.
• Ask God to raise godly leaders in our military who will make strong, courageous decisions for the good of our nation.