Pray for Children of Deployed Parents

Do you know children whose family members are in the military? Ask your grandchildren if they have friends whose parents are in the military. If they do, encourage them to pray and reach out to their friends and friends’ families with kindness. We are all part of the family of God. We are to share each other’s troubles and problems by being intercessors. 

Recently, I read an article in Parade Magazine about the struggles of our deployed soldiers. I read, “When mothers and fathers are deployed overseas, their children are also in danger. A new report from the Rand Corporation suggests that teenagers in military families suffer much higher rates of emotional distress than other teens. Across all age groups and genders, soldiers’ children had significantly greater emotional difficulties.” 1  The older children are more aware of the dangers their deployed parents are facing.

How to Pray for Military Personnel and their Families

• Pray for grandparents of the children left behind by deployed parents to provide spiritual covering, encouragement, and an intentional ministry of hope in Christ to their grandchildren.

• Pray the grandparents will support these children’s needs during this challenging time in their lives, especially the teenagers.

• Pray for the grandparents to be strong as they face the uncertainty and anxiety of their sons, daughters, and possibly grandchildren in potential danger daily.

• Pray the grandparents to have wisdom and direction as they support the spouses and grandchildren left behind.

• Pray for peace for the families as their soldiers face both physical and spiritual warfare in these foreign and hostile environments.

• Pray for comfort and consolation for those who have lost their loved ones or have wounded loved ones who are coming home.

In addition, I am sure you have family members, friends, or acquaintances who are going through difficult times with a broken marriage, health issues, family issues, prodigal children, etc. Sometimes, when we go through these times, the pain is so hurtful that we cannot pray for ourselves. However, when you pray for others, you open the door for God to work in their lives.

1 “Soldiers’ Children Struggle, Too,” Parade magazine,  December 20. 2009, p6.

This blog is taken from the book, Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren. The book is available on this website for a discounted price of $15.00, including shipping. The book will encourage you, challenge you, and give you many Scriptures and suggestions to intentionally pray for your dear grandchildren of all ages.