We are closing in on the end of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Those of us who have read novels and nonfiction about this gruesome time have developed a better understanding of the monumental sacrifices made by families of those who fought for either side. Today I'd like to turn our attention to the fact that military families continue to make sacrifices for the United States of America. Won't you join me in praying for these men and women? I asked Chaplain (Capt.) Scott Koeman for some specific things we can be praying for. Here is the insightful list he shared with me:
- Pray that they would have the Peace of Christ with them-- especially if they travel outside of his Forward Operating Base (FOB)
- Pray that they will depend on the Love of God to keep them from bitterness at others (who needlessly make life difficult on their subordinates especially when they aren't the most competent leader).
- Pray for Protection. Psalm I25:2 "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore."
- Pray that they will be vigilant if they are called upon to fire upon the enemy. Psalm 144:1-2 "Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me."
- Pray that the enemy will be turned back. Psalm 40:14 "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."
- Pray that our service members will be fulfilled in their jobs. Without purpose time out here is extremely long and difficult.
- Pray that service members and spouses will resist lowering themselves to low levels of conversations and instead seek to be examples of goodness and righteousness.
- Pray that service members find "good and solid" Christian brothers/sisters to have fellowship with.
- Pray for the leadership in Platoons, Companies, Battalions, Brigades Leadership can make or break a man. They have the biggest impact.
Chaplain Koeman is married to Benita Koeman, founder of OperationWeAreHere.com, a clearinghouse of resources for the military community.
Jocelyn Green
Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. As a speaker, Jocelyn inspires faith and courage in her audiences. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry-rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.
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