A Prayer for the Commissioning or Promotion of an Officer

Over the years it has been my practice, learned from others, to offer up praises and petitions framed by a passage of Scripture. Some of these passages were read in preparation for preaching, others offered material for meditation in daily devotion; still others were plundered specifically for the purpose of finding fresh material for prayer. As I continue to learn how to pray I have shared a few prayers with my family and friends for their use or adaptation. Here is a pray to encourage you to pray for our law enforcement officers

"Most Wise and Holy God,

As we gather here on this occasion we recall your goodness in giving us this nation, its constitution, its leaders, and the men and women who defend our freedoms and exemplify our responsibilities.

We cannot help but mourn the mindless violence at home in recent days, that has taken innocent lives; and the heartless brutality abroad in recent years, that has consumed many thousands who know no liberty, no safety, and no justice, and who have no hope.

Comfort the bereaved as they mourn their loss.

Help our commander-in-chief and his advisors as they seek to respond to troubles near and far.

Guide us all to the true root and source of peace in a troubled world, for we cannot seem to find it ourselves           

We come to you this morning with grief for our loss, but yet with true gratitude for your gifts. We are thankful for the life and work of [Officer], and for this [promotion/commissioning]. We know that all things, including advancements in our callings lie in your hands.

We also confess that due diligence in our vocations relies on your assistance. And so we ask that you would guide him in his present duties and direct his paths in the future. Help him to use well the talents that you have given to him. Continue to make him an asset to the [Army, Police, etc], and thus to his country.

We thank you for [wife and children], for their pride in a father's work and their patience with its challenges. We commit them all to you, asking that you would be gracious beyond what we any of us deserve.

Hear these petitions and all of our praises, as I bring them to you in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of the One who is this man's greatest strength and only hope, Jesus Christ the Lord.

AMEN."

*This post is an installment in Dr. Van Dixhoorn's series of prayers. 

Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn (PhD, Cambridge University) is a Professor of Church History and the Director of the Craig Center for the Study of the Westminster Standards at Westminster Theological Seminary. He also serves as an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.