1. General Prayers of Encouragement:

   - Prayer for Strength and Courage: "Lord, grant me the strength to face the challenges before me and the courage to keep moving forward. Help me to trust in Your plan and to find peace in Your presence. Amen." Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

   - Prayer for Comfort: "Heavenly Father, in times of difficulty, I seek Your comfort and peace. Surround me with Your love and help me to find solace in Your embrace. May Your presence bring me strength and reassurance. Amen." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble, with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

   - Prayer for Hope: "Lord, fill my heart with hope and renew my spirit. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me of Your promises and the hope that You provide. Help me to hold on to faith and to trust in Your guidance. Amen." Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

2. Prayers for Specific Situations:

   - For Those Facing Challenges: "Dear God, I am facing a difficult situation and feel weighed down by its burden. Please give me the wisdom to navigate through it and the perseverance to see it through. Let Your light guide me and Your strength sustain me. Amen." Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

   - For Times of Uncertainty: "Lord, when I am unsure of the path ahead, grant me clarity and direction. Help me to rely on Your wisdom and to find peace in Your plan. May I trust in Your guidance and find comfort in Your promises. Amen." Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

   - For Renewed Energy: "Heavenly Father, I am feeling drained and in need of renewal. Please restore my energy and strength. Fill me with Your spirit and give me the motivation to continue. Let Your presence energize and uplift me. Amen." Philippians 4:13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

3. Inspirational Prayers:

   - Prayer for Encouragement: "God of encouragement, I ask for Your support and reassurance during this time. Fill my heart with Your love and my mind with Your peace. Help me to remember that I am not alone and that Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Amen." Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

   - Prayer for Inner Peace: "Lord, grant me inner peace amidst the chaos and challenges of life. Help me to find tranquility in Your presence and to rest in the knowledge that You are in control. Let Your peace guard my heart and mind. Amen." Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

   - Prayer for Resilience: "Heavenly Father, bless me with resilience and fortitude. When I feel weak, remind me of Your strength. Help me to persevere through trials and to emerge stronger through Your grace. Amen." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

4. Scriptural Prayers:

   - Based on Philippians 4:13: "Lord, I believe that I can do all things through You who strengthens me. Help me to rely on Your strength and to find encouragement in Your support. Amen."

   - Based on Isaiah 40:31: "Heavenly Father, I wait upon You, trusting that You will renew my strength. Help me to soar on wings like eagles, to run and not grow weary, to walk and not be faint. Amen."

   - Based on Psalm 46:1: "God, You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. I seek Your refuge and draw strength from Your presence. Help me to remain steadfast in the face of adversity, knowing You are with me. Amen."

The Hey Chaplain podcast is where cops  encourage each other by sharing their wisdom and experience with the Chaplain. On Hey Chaplain you'll hear from dispatchers and federal agents, Sheriffs and US Marshals, as well as local detectives and patrolmen. https://heychaplain.buzzsprout.com/

”Today I wrote a note to a bereaved mother. I wanted to say don’t believe all those sympathy cards. The ones that say “time heals” and “God only takes the best” and “may your sorrows be lessened.” You’ll only be disappointed. I wanted to say this is the most heart-wrenching, chest crushing, breath stealing tragedy on earth. I wanted to tell her there will be days she wants to die, and friends who will not understand some of the things she does or says.

I wanted to tell her she will still feel her child’s presence at times, sometimes so strongly that it is as if they are dancing just at the edge of whatever activity is going on. And other times she might not feel their presence at all.

I wanted to tell her that her life will not go back, that she will never be the same, because a piece of her left with her child. And that even though the pain does not go away, somehow her soul will eventually make enough room so she can hold it all– the grief, the pain, the joy and the love. 

I wanted to tell her… but I didn’t. Instead, I wrote this: I’m sending love, for words are pointless right now. And that is the truth.”

Wonderfully written by Susi Costello Shared by Hope's Seed .................................. July is National Bereaved Parents month. For those who have lost a child, I see you. I am you.

1. I have the right to be free of guilt.

2. I have the right not to feel responsible for the suicide death.

3. I have the right to express my feelings and emotions, even if they do not seem acceptable, as long as they do not interfere with the rights of others.

4. I have the right to have my questions answered honestly by authorities and family members.

5. I have the right not to be deceived because others feel they can spare me further grief.

6. I have the right to maintain a sense of hopefulness.

7.  I have the right to peace and dignity.

8.  I have the right to positive feelings about the one I lost through suicide regardless of the events prior to or at the time of the untimely death.

9.  I have the right to retain my individuality and not be judged because of the suicide death.

10. I have the right to seek counseling and a support group to enable me to honestly explore my feelings to further the acceptance process.

11. I have the right to reach acceptance.

12. I have the right to a new beginning.

13. I have the right to be.

The heart behind the badge,

you sometimes cannot see.

Hidden beneath the surface,

comfort to only me.

I am sworn to serve and protect,

but obstacles get in the way.

The heart behind the badge,

gives me courage to face the day.

Talking to an innocent child,

chasing a criminal down the road.

The heart behind the badge,

carries stories that go untold.

The heart may be the passion,

for the job that is at hand.

God shining down upon me,

He's the one who's in command.

Compassion to deal with victims,

a strength to combat crime.

The heart behind the badge,

is there for me each time.

A spouse or significant other,

a family to come home to.

The heart behind the badge,

What does it mean to you?

t's gonna be a long one, another graveyard shift

As he says goodbye to his wife and kids

He spent his life just like his dad's

Driving away under the weight of the badge

He's seen it all in his fifteen years

Watching our backs, facing our fears

Lord knows it ain't no easy task

Keeping us safe under the weight of the badge

He swore that oath to protect and serve

Pours his heart and soul into both those words

Lays his life on the line

The line he walks is razor fine

Tempered strength is always tough

But he ain't gonna buckle

Under the weight of the badge

Not that long ago he woke up in the hospital

With his wife and kids praying by his bed

He said, "I'm gonna be alright, there's just sometimes you gotta fight"

And the truth is nothing truer could be said

I do it for us and I do it for them

And I ain't gonna buckle under the weight of the badge

It doesn't weigh a lot until you put it on

And the weight of it is staggering

Then duty calls each time

He knows he's got to answer

And it's all in the handling the weight

Oh, the heavy weight of the badge

And he ain't gonna buckle

Under the weight of the badge

No, he ain't gonna buckle

Under the weight of the badge