Dearest heavenly Father, Creator of heaven and earth, we come before You this day, lifting up the men and women who respond to the many tragedies in our communities. Those police, firefighters, and paramedics who see humanity at its worst each and every day. We ask that Your hand of protection would be on them continually as they carry out their difficult and often dangerous duties.
We ask that You would be a shield of protection for those who enforce our laws, that each and every one of them would be able to return safely to their families at the end of every shift. Keep them safe from those who desire to do them harm. We also ask that You would empower them to perform their duties with an even mixture of justice and mercy, and that You would keep them from abusing the sacred trust that has been given them. Give them wisdom in their interactions with all whom they come in contact.
For those who battle flames, rescue the innocent, and encounter the carnage of accidents, we beseech You to keep them safe from the flames that they run into, have the strength to carry the heavy loads placed on them, and protect their souls from the sights that they witness. Allow them to polish their skills during their down time in order to be ready to respond to any hazard.
We plead with You that You would sustain those who provide emergency medical care, often in difficult situations. Give them the wisdom to perform quick and valid diagnoses, and allow them to provide the proper care, in the proper way, and in the proper time. Protect them from infectious agents and provide them with every needed skill.
For each of these first responders, give them comrades who will listen to them as they pour out their souls following difficult calls. Lift from them the burden that comes from seeing the very worst that happens in our world. Protect them from the scourge of suicide that is far too prevalent in their professions. Preserve their marriages and relationships, knowing that their work takes a heavy toil both on them and on those they love.
We thank You that You understand all that they endure, seeing as Christ Jesus is the First of first responders. He entered into danger that others might live. He endured the worst that humanity could hand Him. He bled and died that others might live. Let Him be the Savior and the strength that our first responders need in order to face what they witness every day. And allow Him to get all the glory, all the honor, all the praise, now and forevermore. It is in His holy name, the name of Christ Jesus that we pray. Amen.