When they rush to help, do you pray?

Firefighters shift focus to north Orange County as 26,000 evacuate
By Tami Abdollah, Howard Blume 2:38 p.m.
The Triangle Complex fire burns uncontrolled and threatens to cross the 57 Freeway. Firefighters make better progress in Sylmar area and Santa Barbara.

I live just outside of Orlando and around here, the sound of a fire engine is pretty common. Each time I hear one, I offer a prayer for the firefighters rushing to help others. A little while ago, several passed nearby. They reminded me of what is happening in California right now. With all the people losing their homes to the fires, it's easy to acknowledge they need help and offer a prayer of comfort for them. What we too often take for granted is the firefighters. They need prayers of comfort and to be watched over as they battle the fires. Please take a moment and pray for them.

We also forget about the police officers who also risk their lives on a daily basis. Unless one of them is caught committing some kind of abuse, we don't read much about them. That is unless it's too late and one of them has fallen in the line of duty and we see their funerals covered on TV. Please pray for them as well.

And then that takes us back to the men and women serving in the National Guards, Reservists and active military. We should also offer up prayers for the families waiting for them to come home as we pray for them. Offer prayers for the wounded veterans. Prayer takes so little time but it does require something not everyone is willing to do. Set aside your own needs for a moment a day and pray for those who do so much for us. Here's a few links if you can't think of what to pray but remember, God does not care if you are eloquent with your words. He can hear your heart.



(St. Michael is used in most of the posts I do on the fallen)


Patron Saints of the Military Other Than St. Michael:

ST. BRENDAN, PATRON OF SAILORS

ST. JOSEPH CUPERTINO, CONFESSOR, PATRON OF PILOTS AND ASTRONAUTS

ST. JOHN CAPISTRANO, PATRON OF MILITARY CHAPLAINS

ST. ERASMUS [ELMO], MARTYR, ONE OF THE 14 HOLY HELPERS, PATRON OF SAILORS

ST. GEORGE, ONE OF THE 14 HOLY HELPERS, MARTYR AND PATRON OF SOLDIERS

THE LITANY OF THE 14 HOLY HELPERSST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA,

PATRON OF SOLDIERS

THE LITANY OF ST. IGNATIUS

ST. JOAN OF ARC, MARTYR, PATRON OF MILITARY LEADERSTHE LITANY OF ST. JOAN



ST. SEBASTIAN, MARTYR, PATRON OF SOLDIERS

FOR OUR ARMED FORCES

O God, I beg Thee, watch over those exposed to the dangers of a soldier's, sailor's, or airman's life. Give them such strong faith that no human respect may ever lead them to deny it or fear to practice it. Strengthen them by Thy grace against the influence of bad examples so that, being preserved from vice and by serving Thee faithfully, they may be ready to meet death, if it should come to them on land, at sea, or in the air.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, inspire them with sorrow for sin and grant them pardon. Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, protect them. Amen.

Our Lady of Victory, we humbly beg thee to protect all our armed forces everywhere and to give them unflinching courage age to defend our country with honor and dignity. Guard our churches, our homes, our schools, our hospitals, our factories, our buildings, and all therein from harm and peril. Protect our land from enemies within and without. Grant us an early peace and victory founded upon justice. Instill into the hearts and minds of men everywhere, a firm purpose to live forever in peace and good will toward all. Amen.






PRAYER FOR A SERVICEMAN

O Mary, Queen of Martyrs, look after my beloved wherever he may be. Talk with him during the silent watches of the night and spur him to bravery when he faces the cruel foe. Keep him inspired by a never undying faith in God our Savior. Wherever his duty takes him, keep his spirit high, and his purpose unwavering. He is my choicest treasure, take care of him, O Mother of God! Keep him in health and sustain him under every possible circumstance. Touch him with thy smile of benevolence, comfort him and give him full confidence in thy intercession and my prayers for his every brave pursuit. Fail him not and may he not fail God, his country, nor the ones who love him.

http://www.catholictradition.org/war-time6.htm#1