Advent prayers for children of those in law enforcement

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

God I pray for children
of those in law enforcement —

Some mourn parents fallen
in the line of duty
this year,
last year or many years ago.

Some cringe at cheap stereotypes.
Hurting or angry, they defend
the ones they love
to other children, other adults.

Some grow fearful
of a parent’s daily work –

mom, a trooper on snowy highways
when other families
are opening presents,
dad, uncover
when drug deals are going down,

all facing a potential for violence
behind any door,
sitting in any squad car,
responding to a noise complaint,
suicide, domestic incident,
gas station robbery.

God, I pray for the children
of our new Samaritans,
those good people who put on a badge.
Amen.