Prayers for the Armed Forces
For the Armed Forces of the Crown
Heavenly Father,
we commend to your gracious care and keeping
all the men and women in our Armed Forces at home and
abroad.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations;
and give them courage to face the perils that beset them;
and help them to know that nothing can separate them from your
love;
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord God of Hosts,
stretch forth, we pray, your almighty arm
to strengthen and protect our service men and women.
Support them in times of conflict,
and in their rest and training keep them safe from all evil;
endue them with courage and loyalty;
and grant that in all things they may serve without
reproach;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the peace of the world
Almighty God,
from whom all thought of truth and peace proceed:
kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of
peace
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth
that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth be filled with your knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For peace and justice
God our deliverer,
defender of the poor and needy;
when the foundations of the earth are shaking,
give strength to your people to uphold justice and fight all
wrong,
in the name of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
David Stancliffe (1942-)
A Litany for the Armed Forces
Holy God, the protector of all who
trust in you:
Grant to the Armed Forces of the
Crown,
and all who seek you,
the assurance of your presence,
the knowledge of your love,
and the guidance of your spirit
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
Bring healing and wholeness to people
and nations:
let your mercy rule all that we
do.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
Be with all who defend your truth and
your peace,
that they may vanquish injustice and
wrong.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
Give wisdom to leaders and
commanders,
that they may be a force for good on
the earth.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
In your wisdom embrace our
enemies,
and those who wish us harm:
turn, the hearts of all to kindness
and friendship.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
Be with all medics and chaplains,
and all who support the suffering:
give then wisdom and skill, sympathy
and patience.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
Sustain the anxious and fearful,
and renew then with courage from on
high.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
Comfort all worried families, whose
loved ones are in danger:
surround them with your love, protect
them from all harm.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
Be with the sick and wounded,
stand by all prisoners and
captives:
let your mercy be shown to all, and
your power to heal and save.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
Receive those fallen in battle, and
all innocents who have died:
surround their loves ones with
compassion,
and give them a patient faith.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
Confirm what is founded on truth,
and establish your love in our
hearts:
that justice may abound on the
Earth,
and all peoples rejoice in your
peace.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear
us.
The litany may end with the Lord's
Prayer, or else this or some other collect
Lord our God,
our sure stronghold,
hear the voice of our pleading
and deliver us from evil.
Strengthen us as we strive for the
poor and oppressed,
and establish your justice in all the
earth.
Amen
Brian Elliott from 'They Shall Grow
Not Old'