Praying for the troops

[alexwylde]

I assume that a lot of Americans on this forum pray for our American troops as they fight wars. This thread is more directed at those people, but I'm always up for discussion with whoever will reply.

What EXACTLY do you pray for? Do you pray for our troops to "win"? (i.e., kill the other side faster than they can kill us) Do you just pray for protection over them? Do just ask God to bless them?

IMHO, it is very un-Christian to pray for just OUR troops. Why would we pray exclusively for American troops to win? Why wouldn't we pray that EVERYONE is safe? Why do I never hear people praying for world leaders find a way to end such this horrible, deadly, barbaric thing called war? People usually just pray for "our troops". Wouldn't it be a lot better thing if we didn't have to pray for our troops in the first place?

I think this limited perspective is, unfortunately, inherent in our American world-view. So many Americans don't realize that there is life outside of America. Over 60 percent of Christians live in Africa, Asia and South America. How many American Christians would be shocked to hear that? Anyways. I'm more concerned about the praying for our troops aspect of this thread. Just thought I'd get some thoughts.

(And if you are going to call me "disrespectful to our troops", then please don't reply, because I have said nothing to that effect. Thank you.)

 

[Billnew]

I assume that a lot of Americans on this forum pray for our American troops as they fight wars. This thread is more directed at those people, but I'm always up for discussion with whoever will reply.

What EXACTLY do you pray for? Do you pray for our troops to "win"? (i.e., kill the other side faster than they can kill us) Do you just pray for protection over them? Do just ask God to bless them?

IMHO, it is very un-Christian to pray for just OUR troops. Why would we pray exclusively for American troops to win? Why wouldn't we pray that EVERYONE is safe? Why do I never hear people praying for world leaders find a way to end such this horrible, deadly, barbaric thing called war? People usually just pray for "our troops". Wouldn't it be a lot better thing if we didn't have to pray for our troops in the first place?

I think this limited perspective is, unfortunately, inherent in our American world-view. So many Americans don't realize that there is life outside of America. Over 60 percent of Christians live in Africa, Asia and South America. How many American Christians would be shocked to hear that? Anyways. I'm more concerned about the praying for our troops aspect of this thread. Just thought I'd get some thoughts.

(And if you are going to call me "disrespectful to our troops", then please don't reply, because I have said nothing to that effect. Thank you.)

Please read my first statement closely:
Please when posting here, do not disrespect our troops. The OP is about how and why we pray for the troops. It is a valid question, and does not disrespect the troops just by asking.

When I pray for the military, I pray that:
1.God watches over them, and protect them as much as possible.
2.Help them to remember who they are, the compassion they were raised with, to strive to act in a manner bringing respect to their family, their country, their God, and themselves.
3.That each person knows that they are loved, by thier family, friends and most of the American people.(Some do hate the military people, but not most)
4.I pray that the leaders of both sides work to end the war as soon as possible, with as little pain and suffering for the innocent people.
5.We pray each night "to bring them home soon, and bring them home safe.

I was in the Air Force, for 6 years, went on many dispersals(military camping trips). Had the opportunity to meet a preist in the field. He shared his philosophy with me.

I won't bless your weapon, because it is an instrument of killing. but I will bless you, for you are a child of God, and I will bless you and the weapon to function properly in the heat of the fight, to do what is right. That if your life comes to an end, you be accepted into Gods temple, and all sins be washed away.

Even in peace, I pray for our troops. Because 365 days a year, all over the world, our troops are out there, serving to protect the interests that the country has deemed necessary. The coldest or hottest days, the worst weather ever imaginable, in a land foriegn to those that are there, even if in the USA, it is still not home. Our troops need prayers, for there is no more lonely time, then sitting alone on Christmas day in the middle of no where. Even if bullets aren't flying, they still need prayers.
Not to kill more people today, but to survive.

We don't have to pray for victory. We can pray for an end to the violence, at least this time. For there is always more people out there looking to disrupt the peace for money or power. If you don't fight for peace, you will accept violence.(slavery is the utmost in violence.)

 

[tapero]

MOD HAT

Moved from American Politics to Ethics & Morality
​

 

[Verv]

I think that praying for success over a tyrannical government is right; I think praying for the defeat of Islamism is right because Islamism is fundamentally a perversion of God's laws. I will not get into Mohammed on the topic but I could if you wanted me to.

I pray for victory of the Coalition Forces and the establishment of a just government.

I hope the troops are protected but I realize that many will die and that is fine. People die. They go to the place they belong, then, as no one essentially belongs to this world -- and to said to be 'of the world' is equivalent to being said to be sinful.

I think in a very real sense we have the obligation to help alleviate pain and suffering all around the world -- and this is not because of God but because it is morally correct.

 

[cantata]

I would imagine that God is perfectly capable of deciding for himself whom to help out, if anyone.

I find the notion of intercessory prayer completely incoherent.

 

[quatona]

I always thought that when Christians prayed "for the troops" they were praying that god will forgive them for the pain and suffering they cause and spread knowingly and willingly.

 

[stan1980]

I always thought that when Christians prayed "for the troops" they were praying that god will forgive them for the pain and suffering they cause and spread knowingly and willingly.

Haha, don't make me laugh. Didn't you know, it's not the troops who knowingly and willingly spread misery and pain, no, they're completely innocent!

 

[stan1980]

I think praying for the defeat of Islamism is right because Islamism is fundamentally a perversion of God's laws.

The sheer arrogance. Christianity couldn't possibly be a perversion of God's law could it? nevermind whether God actually exists or not. It's the lack of tolerance, not just from certain Christians but of others too, that make this world the messed up place that it is.

 

[Verv]

I would imagine that God is perfectly capable of deciding for himself whom to help out, if anyone.

I find the notion of intercessory prayer completely incoherent.

In the military, we show respect to our superiors because we are grateful for the work that they put in for us and the lessons they give us. Prayer is something like this.

It is a showing of respect and humility to God. Christians pray even before meals -- even when our prayers are simply hopes for a decent day. Orthodox Christianity preaches the notion of internalized prayer, which is essentially always having a sort of meditation upon God.

I guess we ask for answers and for insight as much as we ask for good to come of what we do.

Prayer is a very deep and misunderstood concept, I believe.

I always thought that when Christians prayed "for the troops" they were praying that god will forgive them for the pain and suffering they cause and spread knowingly and willingly.

Like the pain we caused through liberating Paris?

War is something that is sometimes necessary for the defense of basic human rights, just as sometimes the police must act violently to prevent further violence.

You think the Jews, Gypsies, Communists, etc. would have been better off if the world would have opposed the war?

The sheer arrogance. Christianity couldn't possibly be a perversion of God's law could it? nevermind whether God actually exists or not. It's the lack of tolerance, not just from certain Christians but of others too, that make this world the messed up place that it is.

What can someone say about Islamism that is largely positive about it?

You seem very quick to cast stones at Christianity but when we cast stones at people who destroy entire countries with backwards rules we are somehow in the wrong?

... And Mohammed was allegedly there to clean Christianity up.

So he married a 9 year old when he was 54 and justified acts of violence in the name of the spread of Islam, told people to not trust non-Muslims, etc.?

The religion was an apostasy from the start.

 

[quatona]

Like the pain we caused through liberating Paris?

Yes, the pain and suffering that were caused by these actions would be one example for the pain and suffering that troops cause others.

War is something that is sometimes necessary for the defense of basic human rights, just as sometimes the police must act violently to prevent further violence.

Then maybe Christians pray that god accepts these rationalizations they come up with in order to discuss away the pain and suffering the troops cause others.

You think the Jews, Gypsies, Communists, etc. would have been better off if the world would have opposed the war?

No, this was neither my statement nor implied in my statement nor can it be read into it.
You would have to discuss this notion with someone who holds and/or expresses it.
If you want to discuss my statements with me I expect you to address my statements and not something you invent for me. Thanks.

 

[Verv]

No, this was neither my statement nor implied in my statement nor can it be read into it.
You would have to discuss this notion with someone who holds and/or expresses it.
If you want to discuss my statements with me I expect you to address my statements and not something you invent for me. Thanks.

Your statement was that Soldiers spread suffering and pain...

Is this always true?

Was liberating Auschwitz spreading 'suffering and pain?' Or rather was it releasing people from it?

I only use the statements you made.

 

[Axioma]

Nazis were human beings too, you know.

 

[cantata]

If two groups of Christians go to war, to whose prayers does God listen?

Intercessory prayer seems more like an opportunity to show God how wonderfully thoughtful and sympathetic you are than a genuinely useful act that will benefit the troops. I'm sure God isn't going to change his plans just because a few families in America asked him to.

 

[Axioma]

If two groups of Christians go to war, to whose prayers does God listen?

*gasp*
But surely that has never happened before in the history of mankind!

 

[Verv]

If two groups of Christians go to war, to whose prayers does God listen?

Intercessory prayer seems more like an opportunity to show God how wonderfully thoughtful and sympathetic you are than a genuinely useful act that will benefit the troops. I'm sure God isn't going to change his plans just because a few families in America asked him to.

Probably they go to benefit both sides in the issue, e.g. protecting specific, important individuals and landmarks, preventing atrocities, etc.

Or they would go for the sect of Christianity that is most true in its interpretation of Christ's word, I imagine, in a sense so the other Christian sect could gain predominance over the other to bring them to a more Holy understanding.

But generally speaking, I think that God does not find it necessary to interfere that much in the world. The whole 'free will' bit is quite important.

This is really a question to which there is no answer.

 

[Billnew]

I always thought that when Christians prayed "for the troops" they were praying that god will forgive them for the pain and suffering they cause and spread knowingly and willingly.

No. Pain and suffering are a part of living. To minimize the pain and suffering on those affected, enemy and friend, or civilian.

I would imagine that God is perfectly capable of deciding for himself whom to help out, if anyone.

I find the notion of intercessory prayer completely incoherent.

God has a path for everyone, but God does accept requests, and if within his grand plan, God can affect the outcome.

Nazis were human beings too, you know.

Some might be, but alot were monsters.

If two groups of Christians go to war, to whose prayers does God listen?

Intercessory prayer seems more like an opportunity to show God how wonderfully thoughtful and sympathetic you are than a genuinely useful act that will benefit the troops. I'm sure God isn't going to change his plans just because a few families in America asked him to.

If 2 groups of Christians go to war, God will hear both sides prayers. God will benefit the side of the person who is most appropriate. No automatic winner, no right or wrong group, just the individual relating to God.

But you don't have a relationship with God. It's like going on a trip, lets say, to the Grand Canyon. Does it really matter if we make a 10minute stop at a museum? The final objective will still be met, and only a minor delay in the time table. This is prayer, asking for some meaningful request, special to the individual, but in the grand scheme doesn't really change anything.

Prayers for triumph in battle, to kill many people, to take a hill, are not something God cares about. God cares about his children, sheep, (whatever description you want), love one another as you love me.
Give Ceasar what is his.
Ceasar might ask for a soldier to give up his life. This does not automatically mean that the soldier is lost to God. The earthly body is for
Ceasar to control(to a point).

If Christians won't fight to protect and keep the world safe, then anti-Christians will rule the world. If we don't fight to keep what is ours, we will become slaves to those that will fight.

The world is for suffering, we walk through the world to help ease the suffering, even if it means we cause more suffering in the short term.
When a wound is dirty, you must clean it, and cause the person more pain, but the wound will heal better because of the suffering.

 

[Axioma]

Unfortunately, even the monstrous ones were human.

 

[selfinflikted]

I would imagine that God is perfectly capable of deciding for himself whom to help out, if anyone.

I find the notion of intercessory prayer completely incoherent.

I find it a colossal waste of time. Do you *really* think god is sitting up high on his throne, watching the goings ons and thinking to himself, "Hmm. I would help these guys out here, if only some people would pray for it." ?? Prayer seems to me like a rediculous concept. If god's will is going to be done regardless (because, he is GOD after all), then, what effect could prayer possibly have anyway? It never made sense to me in any other context, and it sure as hell doesn't make sense to me in this one.

Colossal. Waste. Of. Time.

 

[quatona]

Your statement was that Soldiers spread suffering and pain...

Yes.

Is this always true?

No, and I didn´t say so, neither did the wording of my statement allow this interpretation.

Was liberating Auschwitz spreading 'suffering and pain?'

Did they do it peacefully and without harming anyone? If so it wasn´t.
Your point being?

I only use the statements you made.

No. You add something to them and then address merely what you have added.

 

[SiderealExalt]

I have yet to do much beyond a donation here or there to some things for the troops. But prayer wouldn't be one of them. I prefer to try to do things that are useful.