As the name implies, emergency responders work in very stressful and sometimes dangerous situations, often risking their lives to protect us and provide peace and order in our community.  Not only can their job be physically perilous; more often it is emotionally, morally and spiritually draining.  Locally, firefighters have lost their lives responding to fires in our area in recent years and the shootings of two Charlotte police officers still play on local newscasts.  Law enforcement as a whole has the highest rates of divorce, alcoholism, domestic violence and suicide of any profession. Nationally, there were 161 officers killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2010, and 28 officers have given the ultimate sacrifice already this year.  There is no question that field carries risks that can extend well beyond quitting time.

For people of faith, an opportunity to express gratitude and the willingness to help comes through the Shield a Badge with Prayer program, which asks people to commit to pray for an officer, firefighter or emergency medical services responder by name every day for a year.  Prayer has been shown to improve medical outcomes and affect situations in positive ways in multiple scientific studies and millions of incidents of anecdotal evidence.  Individuals and congregations who believe in the power of prayer are encouraged to participate by praying regularly for God’s protection, strength and wisdom to be granted to those who serve our community and their families, who share the burden of risk and strain.

Each prayer warrior will receive the name and birthday (if provided), of the officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services responder for whom he or she will pray, as well as appropriate contact information, such as the mailing address of the agency they work for.  Support can be shown not only through prayer, but by sending birthday cards, cards of encouragement and Christmas cards to the officer.