Honoring Our Veterans
A Dangerous Calling
Each November we honor the men and women who wear the uniform of the several branches of our services. These brave people are called to protect and defend our nation, our freedom, and our values. They know, when they make the commitment to serve, they might be called to go to a dangerous place and put their lives on the line for us all. If we happen to have one of these men or women in our families, we know the constant concern we have for them, but let us not forget we can play a major role in insuring their safe return home.
In doing research for the chapter on “Prayers for America” in my new book, Oh, the Power!, I was amazed at how powerful prayers for our men and women at war were. In one Texas town, Seadrift, the people made a collage of the 52 men from that town that fought in WW II. They lifted up these men every day in prayer, asking God to watch over them and bring them home safely. They prayed the psalm of protection, the 91st Psalm, over them daily. All 52 returned home alive. What were the odds? Not good without the shield of protection the prayers of those people in their home town provided.
Parents’ prayers for their sons and daughters on the front lines also make a huge difference. In 2005, a father whose son was in Baghdad, wrote a prayer which he prayed daily over his son, “Father, deliver Justin from roadside bombs and IEDs, from landmines, car bombs, suicide bombers, rocket and mortar attacks, RPGs, ambushes and snippers. Deliver him from every spiritual attack perpetrated by the forces of darkness. By the authority of Jesus Christ, I put a hedge of protection around him from the enemy, so neither man nor spirit, can get through to him. Lord, give your angels special charge over Justin to accompany and defend and preserve him when on patrol and in battle, when he is at leisure, at rest or on duty, wherever he would be. Charge your angels to bear Justin up on their hands and keep him from stumbling.”
On March 13, 2006, Justin’s armored vehicle was hit broadside by a huge IED. Doors , roof and wheels were blown off. Those on patrol thought all inside were dead. But, to their utter amazement, every one of the soldiers emerged with only minor injuries. The investigation report revealed that the major force of the blast had turned away from the vehicle, sparing the soldiers’ lives. The Army personnel officer reporting to Justin’s father told him, “It was indeed, a miracle.”
Prayer protects. On this Veteran’s Day, let us make sure, through our prayers of protection for them, that the men and women who wear the uniform today will be with us in their old age to be our celebrated veterans of the future.
