Soldiers play a crucial role in our society. They offer their lives to maintain peace and social order. They enforce the law to make sure justice and peace prevail in our communities. They protect us from possible dangers that can harm us.
Our soldiers stay awake while we are soundly sleeping. They ensure our safety and protection. They literally offer their lives for our sake. Unfortunately, there are times when some of our brave soldiers lay down their lives in the line of duty. Truly, they embody the very words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13 NRSVUE).
The Church has a profound and beautiful doctrine on praying for the deceased members of the Christian community. Even though they are already deceased, we must not forget our fallen soldiers. As a communion of Christ’s flock, we must offer our prayers for their eternal repose. At the same time, let us also not forget to pray for and console their grieving families.
These prayers are our humble effort to remember our beloved deceased soldiers. They may be lost in our sight, but their memory and sacrifice live in our hearts.
Prayer for soldiers who have died
Almighty and eternal God, You have created the world in order and harmony. In Your divine wisdom, You govern all creation. You have wonderfully shared this with us, unworthy as we are. May You be praised and glorified.
We thank You, Father, for our soldiers. They are specially chosen by You to serve and protect us. They are Your reminders that You guide and keep us safe from harm and chaos.
Lord God, we commend to You our deceased brother/sister (name of the deceased soldier). He/she has offered his/her life as a soldier of this country and as Your faithful child. He/she willingly laid down his/her own life in the line of duty. Please grant him/her the eternal reward of heaven.
Thank You, dear God, for his/her example. He/she was a model of courage, dedication, and patriotism. We know that he/she loved this country, but he/she loved You more than anything else. May we imitate his/her example of life and commitment.
Compassionate Lord, You and only You know the details of our deceased brother’s/sister’s life. If he/she committed mistakes in this life, we beg Your mercy and forgiveness for him/her.
Lord, we also pray for the families and friends of our beloved brother/sister. They are hurting and grieving the loss of their loved one. Please be their comfort and consolation. Be with them in this difficult time of their lives.
Father, may the soul of our brother/sister and all those soldiers who gave up their lives for our sake rest in Your peace. As they have been faithful in their sworn duties, please grant them the blessed privilege of beholding Your face in heaven.
In Your most powerful name, O God, may all violence and wars end. Please put an end to all chaos and cruelty in this world. Reign in our hearts and in our world, O Lord. In You, we find peace, unity, and harmony. Renew us in Your love so that we can make this world a peaceful place to live in.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Short prayer for a fallen soldier
Merciful and compassionate God, we humbly pray for our deceased soldiers. Remember them in Your endless love and forgive them the sins they may have committed in life. Reward their dedication and selfless service. Comfort and console their grieving loved ones. As they have offered their lives for our protection and safety, may You grant them the eternal reward of life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Word of God
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them.
Wisdom 3:1 NRSVUE
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26 NRSVUE
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel for deceased soldiers
Saint Michael the Archangel, Prince of the heavenly armies, you have been commanded by God to lead the angels in their battle against the wickedness and evil ploys of the enemy. Your strength comes from the Lord God alone. We come to you seeking your intercession for our deceased soldiers.
O Great Captain of God’s heavenly battalion, you have inspired our fallen soldiers to fight evil and to promote and protect peace and order. You are God’s faithful warrior, and you enjoy His presence for all eternity. Pray for our deceased soldiers that they, too, may delight in the presence of God.
Welcome them through the doors of heaven. Pray to God for them that they may be forgiven for the sins they have committed in this life. Lead them to God’s bosom, where they receive their eternal reward.
Saint Michael, be with the families and friends of these soldiers. Bring them consolation and hope. Pray for them to God for strength and the will to continue their lives. May the memory of their deceased loved one inspire them to continue their life and examples here on earth.
Saint Michael, champion of justice, we also pray that violence and chaos in the world may stop. Pray to God on our behalf that we may all live in peace and harmony so that no more lives, soldiers and civilians, would be violently taken.
Saint Michael the Archangel, pray for us. Amen.
Further reflection
We may not know them personally, but we can still show our appreciation and honor to our deceased soldiers. They served our community with all their strength and fervor. They laid down their lives just to ensure our safety and to protect the peace and our lives.
When we pray for them, we remember how they were truly dedicated to their duties as defenders of the country. When we pray for them, our deceased soldiers continue to live in our hearts.
There is nothing more tragic and heartbreaking than losing a loved one. The pain is unexplainable. There are times when the thoughts of what could have been still haunt those who experienced the loss of a beloved.
As we pray for the deceased soldiers, let us not forget to also offer our prayers for their families, friends, relatives, and fellow soldiers. Let us pray for strength as they continue with their daily lives. Let us also pray for the end of violence and wars in the world.
