Prayer for the Military (from the May 2003 Orthodox Herald)

We thank Thee, O Lord our God for all the blessings which Thou givest us.  Thou hast kept us by Thy power in good health during the night and Thou has called us up from sleep, that we may enjoy the light of day and to marvel at Thy Majesty.  We entreat Thee, O Lord, grant that we may live this day without danger or sin, but full of Thy mercies and Thy divine care.  Protect my family and the families of my fellow-servicemen from all evil.  Enlighten the peoples who conquer and torture other nations; make them repent and seek peace, leaving other lands and their dwellers free.  Open Thou the eyes of our mind to see Thy divine law and incline our hearts ever to do Thy commandments, to the glory of Thine all-holy Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  Amen. O Thou Loving Father of us all, Who are here and everywhere, let Thy blessing be upon my loved ones at home.  Keep them in Thy gracious care, protect them by Thy power and make their hearts glad in the thought of Thy nearness.  Help them and help me to feel that however separated we are by distance, in Thee we are close to each other. Amen.

Chaplain W. Basil Stroyen, USAF, wrote to Metropolitan Leonty during the Korean War, asking him for a prayer which would be appropriate for use by the servicemen under his care. This prayer was sent to him. He had copies made for distribution and for pasting in the Divine Liturgy book, which was used at Services. It was recited by the congregation following the Services and used by many of the servicemen in their daily lives. Just two years ago a copy was sent to him by a serviceman, who had kept it in his wallet since 1955.