Whether you’re a military wife who is stationed at base with your spouse, or you’re counting down the days until his return from deployment, you’re balancing countless emotions and struggles. Prayer is an incredible help – but you may find that the words you need just aren’t in your prayer books. Without support, you can feel alone.
As a Catholic military wife, know that you’re not alone in this journey. You’re surrounded by both those here on earth who are walking the path with you, as well as a great cloud of witnesses in Heaven who are interceding on your behalf.
To help connect you to the amazing saints who can provide amazing comfort during this time, here are seven different prayers to pray as a military wife! On days full of rejoicing, these prayers can put words to the unspeakable joy in your heart. During hard days, these prayers can strengthen your heart.
1. Prayer to Our Lady of Loreto
Our Lady of Loreto, our glorious mother, we confidently turn to you. Receive our humble prayer. Humanity is troubled by great evils, which it seeks to overcome on its own, and is in need of peace, justice, truth, and love, yet thinks it can find these divine realities away from your Son. O mother! You, who carried the Divine Savior in your immaculate womb and lived with Him in the Holy House that we venerate on the Loreto Hill, grant us the grace to see Him and imitate His example, who leads us to salvation. Amen.
2. Prayer to Saint Erasmus
Lord God, You gave the Church Saint Erasmus, raising him to the altar of sanctity. May he intercede for us in all our needs, especially in keeping our soldiers protected at sea. May Your Church enjoy unending peace and be secure in Your protection, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Read more: 6 Saints Who Were Also Extremely Courageous Soldiers
3. Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s prayer of self offering
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess You have given me: I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more. Amen.
4. Prayer to Saint Martin of Tours
Dear well-beloved saint, you were first a soldier like your father. Converted to the Church, you became a soldier of Christ, a priest, and then a bishop of Tours. Lover of the poor, and model for pagans and Christians alike, protect our soldiers at all times. Make them strong, just, and charitable, always aiming at establishing peace on earth. Amen.
Read more: Saints Who Honorably Served In Their Military
5. Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
O glorious prince Saint Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence. Enable us, by your gracious protection, to serve God more and more faithfully every day. Amen.
6. Prayer to obtain a favor through the intercession of Father Capodanno
May God, who has offered healing and strength through the hands of His only Son, Our Lord, and through Christ’s many servants, grant me the favor of His healing hand through the intercession of His Servant Father Vincent Capodanno, priest, missionary, and chaplain, who always sought to heal and comfort the wounded and dying on the field of battle. May I be granted this request on my won field of battle I pray, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
7. Prayer to Saint Joseph
O God, who in thine unspeakable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of thine own holy mother: grant, we beseech thee, that we may deserve to have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom we reverence as our defender on earth: who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
Want more prayers and meditations for Catholic military wives? Check out Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s latest book, By Dawn’s Early Light. You’ll find true stories of active service men and women along with prayers for every occasion. Find a copy at your local book store or online at Sophia Institute Press.
