Prayers During Deployment

Not to long ago I came across this website, Operation We Are Here.  Their mission is 'to create an awareness of the challenges of families/loved ones of deployed military personnel ~ to offer practical suggestions to churches, communities and individuals on how to support and encourage the military home front ~ to provide a comprehensive list of resources for families/loved ones of deployed military personnel.'  This site is fantastic!  It has SO MUCH INFO for both the civilian who wants to show support for a military member/family AND for the military member/family who are trying to support each other.  And the best part is that they are a Christian ministry.  When I read their section on prayer during deployment I just could not not pass it on.  Obviously this is a situation our family is currently going through so it's kindof a big deal to us ;)!

HOW CAN YOU PRAY FOR DEPLOYED MILITARY PERSONNEL?

We hear people say, "Pray for our Troops!" But what do we pray for? What, specifically, are their needs?

Here are insights provided by Army Chaplain (MAJ) Scott Koeman in how to pray:

~Pray that he would have the peace of Christ with him—especially if he travels outside of his Forward Operating Base (FOB).

~Pray that he will depend on the love of God to keep him from bitterness at others (who needlessly make life difficult on their subordinates especially when they aren’t the most competent leader).

~Pray for his spiritual and emotional resiliency so that regardless of what he faces, he will be able to be effective in his military role and responsibility.

~Pray for protection. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore” (Psalm I25:2).

~Pray that he will be vigilant if he is called upon to fire upon the enemy. “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle” (Psalm 144:1).

~Pray that the enemy will be turned back. “May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion: may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace” (Psalm 40:14).

~Pray that he will be fulfilled in his job. Without purpose, time in the combat zone is extremely long and difficult.

~Pray that he will resist lowering himself to lower levels of conversations and instead seek to be an example of goodness and righteousness.

~Pray that he finds “good and solid” Christian brothers to have fellowship.

~Pray that if he struggles or is discouraged, he will seek out his chaplain for wisdom and encouragement.

~Pray for the leadership in Platoons, Companies, Battalions, Brigades . . . depending on what level the soldier works. Leadership can make or break a man.

HOW CAN YOU PRAY FOR THE MILITARY HOME FRONT?

Many prayers are directed to our deployed military personnel, and that is so appreciated, but it is equally important to pray for their loved ones at home. Here are insights provided by military spouses in how to pray:

Pray...for the home front spouse

~that they would trust God and that they would be firmly rooted in Christ and the Word of God and draw strength from Him

~for joy, hope, endurance, strength, patience, protection and safety

~pray against fear, loneliness, fatigue, despair, depression

~that support would be present when needed, that friends, family, co-workers, neighbors would rise up and extend assistance and encouragement

Pray...for their marriage

~for loyalty and commitment in their marriage, and that their relationship would have trust

~that their love would grow stronger during the time apart

~pray against temptation or inappropriate relationships

~for a healthy way to fill the hours left empty that would have been spent with their spouse

Pray...for their children

~that they would be strong for their children and would have wisdom and discernment in parenting

~that children would learn how to cope with the deployment (fears, anxieties, sadness) and learn how to express themselves

~that schools would be understanding and helpful

And keep praying following the deployment!
~Pray for the time of re-integration. After the happy reunion, the period of adjustment can be tough. The whole family has been affected/changed by the deployment.

~It may be a time of dealing with unresolved issues.
~The deployed parent needs to fit back into the home that has managed independently without him/her for a period of time. Parental/spousal responsibilities may shift.
~Sometimes a return home is followed by a move to a new location.



Like I said, this site is just fantastic!  SO much valuable info......I'll definitely be copying and pasting from them again!