A first responder is a person with specialised training who is among the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency. They play a vital role in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. All of us appreciate help and assistance when the unforeseen happens. We must pray for our first responders e.g. Police service, Fire and rescue service, Medical and Emergency response teams. Added to the tragic and devastating situations that they are exposed to, they are sometimes hindered to do their work with efficiency due to corruption, violence and mismanagement.
Here are guidelines to bless and cover our first responders in prayer. Each point includes Scripture and prayer. We encourage you to write down other Scriptures and prayers that you can pray for them.
Praise God for those who often risk their lives for others
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10). I thank my God in all my remembrance of you… (Philippians 1:3).
Heavenly Father, thank You for men and women who work diligently for the safety and well-being of others even when their jobs are difficult. We thank You for their sacrifices and service to our community. May every good work that they do today bring honour and praise unto Your name.
Pray for their salvation and dependency on Christ in all circumstances
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17). The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).
Heavenly Father, we pray for men and women who have saved the lives of many to understand that they also need a Saviour. Please bring Your children into their lives to teach them about Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is the only way to the Father. We also pray for first responders who have turned away from You, because of the tragedy and heartache that they see every day. May they return to You in repentance and seek You wholeheartedly.
Pray for protection and safety
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:1-4).
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life, I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16).
Most High God, You are our protection and shield. Help our first responders to call on Your name and dwell in Your shadow. May they always rely on You every second of their day. Fill their minds with Your thoughts of wisdom and knowledge when they find themselves in dangerous situations. Grant them a way out when their lives are threatened or when they face people who want to harm them physically.
Pray for wisdom and discernment in each crisis
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6). We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 20:12, ESV).
All-knowing God, we trust You to guide these men and women when they need to make difficult and complicated decisions. We call on You to help them remain peaceful when the intensity of a situation wants to overwhelm them. Help them to call on Your name whenever they do not know what to do, for You are our ever-present help in times of trouble. Cause praise to flow from the lips of our first responders unto You for every breakthrough, miracle, sign and wonder that You perform in their midst.
Pray for courage and strength
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid … for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Heavenly Father, You are the One who goes before us. You promise us that You will never leave us nor forsake us. We pray for this promise to be truth that resounds in the heart of every first responder. Help them to be aware of Your presence and Your voice of comfort in every challenging situation. Reveal Your perfect love to them, that drives all fear away.
Pray for vigilance on their shifts
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14:38). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8).
God, our Protector, You never slumber nor sleep and Your eyes go throughout the earth. Thank You that You watch over these men and women at the forefront of dangerous situations as they watch over our communities. Please keep them alert and ready. We ask that You keep them sharp, confident, and prepared in every way. Teach them to keep watch in prayer as well.
Pray for emotional protection
… let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all… (Galatians 6:9-10a).
Heavenly Father, please keep our first responders emotionally strong. We ask for Your compassion to be revealed through them when they are confronted by the evil and brokenness in this world. Give them Your peace as they deal with the pain and suffering of others—and at times experience injustice. May they have compassion for those whose lives are broken and may they demonstrate Your lovingkindness to them. Help them to love as You have commanded us when others express hate and anger toward them.
Pray for words of life to be on their lips
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3). A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1).
Our Father, please give the right words and actions to Your people who are first responders. Even in the most intense situations, we ask that You show them how to react and what to say. May they bring honour to You and be godly examples to their unbelieving coworkers and to others with whom they interact daily.
Pray for the families of first responders
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3). Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1). These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33).
Lord God, we bring the families of first responders to You when they experience stress and fear. We ask for Your protection over their marriages and families. May Your peace reign in the hearts of these families, Lord. Help these men and women to keep their eyes fixed upon You so that they might love their spouses as You have instructed, so they might train up their children in godly ways. Help them to spend constructive and uplifting time with their families..
Pray for communities to support them in their work
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:7).
Heavenly Father, we appreciate the men and women who serve communities tirelessly. We ask You to strengthen them with Your Spirit of might and for them to experience Your love in great measure. Grant Your peace and a desire to see social justice restored in communities in the hearts of citizens; to support and assist first responders in doing their work efficiently, and as praise to Your name.
Practical tips:
- Buy a takeaway coffee for the officers at your local police station. Offer to bless them in prayer. It is seldom refused.
- Consider typing out or writing a verse and prayer on a note. Keep it in your car and give it to a traffic or police officer when you meet them.
- Thank the first responders when you come in contact with them. Thank them for their work and ask how you can pray for them.
