Police Wife Prayer, How To Create Your Own

Linda Seitz, Retired LEOW

Healing marriages and homes by sharing raw stories of redemption and reconciliation.

Being a Law Enforcement Wife Changed My Prayer Life  

He’s retired now, but it was very apparent during the early years of his career that I was not sending my husband out the door as an accountant to be received by his workday into the comfort of a cozy office.  No, I was sending my husband out the door in a bullet-proof vest, into a target-seeking car and saying goodbye as he rode out to help save the good people from the dregs of society.  Not your average mindset.

In this article, you will find out how to create your own prayer as I not only model it for you, but also give you a police prayer of my own to get you started quickly.

A law enforcement mindset was necessary during this season of my life, one that required much faith and hope that he would return each day unscathed, unharmed and unchanged by what he had witnessed.  Or, at least two out of the three, preferably. 

Recognizing the Need for Prayer as a Police Wife

Prayer became a larger part of my life than it ever had been in the past.  Connecting with God over my husband was going to be my lifestyle, my rhythm, my sanity.  I picked up books on prayer, I remembered the labored “Our Father…” that we repeated endlessly in our church when I was a kid and I asked friends and mentors for their advice on what and how exactly  they put a prayer together.  I thought there had to be a formula.

Many of the pieces of wisdom I received referred directly back to how these (authors, leaders, mentors) women processed information, how they talked with God and how they spent their lives in order to have prayer become a consistent part of their day.  In essence, they taught me to have freedom in prayer, to be in conversation with God and to release the need for a formula.  

This was so very helpful, and yes, for the most part I would have a continued conversation with the Lord on the daily in order to give my fears to him regarding my officer and to create peace within my heart.  But still, there were moments as a police wife that the events, the schedules and the loneliness just became too big, so relying on an organized plan proved to be more comforting.

The ACTS way of praying: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication

One mentor suggested this process of praying.  “It’s a model of prayer that is more than a century old, as it was believed to first be published as part of a story series in the August 1883 periodical The Continent.” (Cindi McMenamin for Crosswalk.com) 
I liked the “ACTS” way of organizing my thoughts into prayer because it hit all of the ways that I wanted and needed to honor, praise and glorify God while connecting with Him.  This way of praying helped me place Him at the forefront and still be able to ask for my needs without any kind of doubt or thought of my being offensive.  Let’s take a look at it together:

Adoration:  Begin your prayers by praising God and stating what you adore about Him, His creation, His people, His ways, His beauty, His sacrifice.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” Psalm 115:1

Confession:  I’m assuming that there may be various ways throughout your day (actions, words, thoughts) when you’ve not been the most stellar human being.  I know that I have much to confess on a daily basis.  Think of those, repent and ask for His forgiveness.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Thanksgiving:  Even if you are only breathing at the moment, you have something to be thankful for.  Close your eyes and think of your dwelling place, your hot water, your relationships, your job that keeps food on the table.  You get the idea.  

“...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Supplication:  Verbalize your requests to God.  Ask for what you need, ask for guidance, ask for clarity, ask because He is willing to listen.  

“Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.” Psalm 28:2

Answer to Prayer 

The short answer is that God does answer our prayers, LEOW, although we may not really like His answer.  Keep in mind that your prayers should glorify Him, align with scripture and honor the life that He wants us to live out.  

Give it a try yourself, and take a look at this Police Wife Prayer that I’ve prepared for you.  See if you can dissect the ACTS model of prayer within the words I’ve used.  This prayer  below is in the closing of my latest book, “Cultivating Contentment as a Law Enforcement Wife” which is available soon through our ministry’s website, (currently releasing one free chapter as a PDF through our contact page)  www.PeaksAndValleys.Life .

Lord, 
You are everything to me.  Simply put, I cannot look at the sand and the waves, the trees and the flowers, the mountains and the valleys without knowing that you love creating beautiful things.  I confess that I have been bitter, envious and angry at times when things have not gone my way.  I am so thankful that you bring to the surface the events, demeanors, relationships, ideas and perspectives in which I have acted poorly, selfishly or immaturely.  I repent of my sin of comparison and many more ways that I have not acted righteously, for I have every reason to choose contentment for my life.  Bless my husband and our family,  as I place them in your hands;  with health, safety and minds that are focused upon you.  May you especially bless our law enforcement marriage with patience, kindness and understanding.  Please be with my officer as he serves and gives his time to his department and the city he works within.  May He feel drawn into your presence and may He continually notice YOU in every difficult situation in which he is involved.  Please continue to walk alongside me as I take your hand in faith, knowing that you’ve planned my life based upon what you need from me as a Kingdom-grower and disciple-maker.  
Amen