Note: I used this first at a Bible study for Houston Police Department officers and chaplains and expanded upon it now.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them. Intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for [leaders] and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior. (1 Timothy 2:1-3 NLT)
The Real Reality
Billy Graham said: Evil and suffering are real… They aren’t an illusion, nor are they simply an absence of good. We are fallen creatures living in a fallen world that has been twisted and corrupted by sin, and we all share in its brokenness. Most of all, we share in its tragic legacy of disease and death.
This present world is not as God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) first created it to be. This world and its people (me too!) are broken. Romans 8:18-25 says that all creation and its creatures groan as in the pains of childbirth. We are waiting for God to bring the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
In our fallen world, law enforcement officers are essential. They are supposed to maintain public order and safety, enforce the law, and prevent, detect, and investigate criminal activities. Yes, they must be held accountable for any abuse of their authority. And they need our prayers and support!
Most of us are aware that the day-to-day work of law enforcement officers can be full of potential dangers. They can be injured or killed by criminals or in traffic accidents. In the current climate, they are often underappreciated and disrespected. Shift work and stress can contribute to poor sleeping habits and fatigue. Post-traumatic stress from being involved in dangerous incidents and witnessing death and destruction can lead to depression and suicide. So we need to pray for law enforcement officers. God commands it! Here are some Scriptures to help us. These can also be used for firefighters, people in the military, and others in dangerous occupations.1
Matthew 5:9
Scripture: Jesus said–Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Comments: All Christians are to be peacemakers, not troublemakers, because we serve Jesus, the Prince of Peace. One sheriff’s department in Virginia used to have part of Matthew 5:9 on decals on their patrol cars, but legal concerns caused these to be removed. Scripture says: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”2
Law enforcement officers are responsible for stopping conflict and keeping the peace, often at great personal risk and sacrifice (physical safety, mental health, relationships) to themselves and their loved ones. Many officers view their work as a calling from God, not just a job.
Let’s ask the Lord to help them be faithful peacekeepers and keep them safe today. Ask God to bring wholeness, peace, and security to their families, too. Ask the Lord to bring order through law to our cities, states, and nation, and justice with mercy. God loves cities because there are lots of people in them, and the Lord loves people. Do we reflect God’s heart for cities and our own city in particular?
Deuteronomy 31:6
Scripture: God said–Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of enemies, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Comments: Officer Rich Emberlin said that courage is when you find yourself running toward trouble, not away from it. You know the risks, fearing for your life and the lives of others, but you do it anyway. That’s the job of law enforcement officers: to find the disorder and try to make it stop. Christ is the best source of strength and courage for officers, their families, and all of us. Jesus’ help is sufficient (enough) for us, for His power is made perfect in our weakness. When we are weak, Christ is strong. So we admit our weakness, so that God’s power and peace may rest on us.3
Ask Jesus to be alongside our officers at every traffic stop, on every domestic call, in every split-second decision they have to make today. Ask God to give them wisdom, strength, and courage. Ask the Lord to give the same blessings to their families who carry the heavy burden and privilege of having an officer as a dad, mom, husband, or wife.
Psalm 144:1-2
Scripture: King David said–Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge.
Comments: The Bible says that God is the only sure Rock of refuge, safety, and protection. And He is also the Rock of our salvation, and Christians’ eternity is secure in Christ. Jesus promised, “My sheep listen to My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of My hand.”4
As more citizens in Texas own and carry handguns, some law enforcement officials worry that this could increase crime and put residents and officers in greater danger. One officer said that the “war” and “battle” in Psalm 144 include physical issues (exhaustion, age, sickness, and the physical danger they face) and also spiritual issues.
Let’s ask God to support our officers: love them, support them, train them, give them all the necessary skills, and shield them from the dangers they face every day. Ask the Lord to be the solid Rock for their spouses and children, too.
Proverbs 21:15
Scripture: King Solomon said–When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
Comments: God is holy, righteous, and just. That’s His unchanging character, and He cannot be otherwise. The Bible says: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne. Love and faithfulness go before Him.5 The Lord sets the standards for right, just, and fair behavior. Human laws should echo God’s laws, even in a secular society. Throughout the Bible, the Lord cares for vulnerable people, widows, orphans, immigrants, the mentally ill, and the poor and needy. Jesus loves and defends runaways, castaways, and refugees. He cares about those with the least economic, social, and political power, and so should we.6 So should law enforcement officers, especially.
Let’s ask the Lord to remind our officers that what they do matters to God profoundly. In promoting justice, they resemble Christ and terrify troublemakers. That is God’s intent! “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”7
Romans 13:4
Scripture: The Apostle Paul said–The one in authority is God’s servant for your good, benefit, and help. And for your righteousness and happiness. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for they do not bear the sword [weapon] for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Comments: This passage sums up much of what law enforcement officers do and their importance to the Lord. The police are here to serve God and us, promoting the Lord’s goodness, so we should pray for them. Ask the Lord to make all our citizens honor, respect, trust, help, and cooperate with police officers. Peace in our cities happens best when law enforcement and citizens have a good working relationship. Ask God to make and keep our officers trustworthy and to help our citizens trust them.
You may also like Christ Prays and Is Present
Things to Pray For (Part 1)
Things to Pray For (Part 2)
United Praying in Troubling Times
Knowing God Through Prayer (A-C-T-S, Part 1)
Knowing God Through Prayer (A-C-T-S)(Part 2)
All Your Anxieties
Notes (various Bible translations used): 1 This post is adapted and expanded from “Inspiring Scriptures for Police Officers” by Leah Everly. Leah has also written The Proverbs 31 Police Wife. Her website is loveandbluesblog.com. 2 Col 3:16. 3 2 Cor 12:9; Psa 29:11. 4 John 10:27-28. 5 Psa 89:14. 6 See more in “What Is Biblical Justice?” by Tim Keller, Aug 23, 2012, Relevant Magazine. 7 Prov 9:10.