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May 12 through May 18 is Law Enforcement week. Below is an Article by Franklin Graham (Billy Graham's son) on "How To Pray for Law Enforcement"

The tragedy in Charlotte this past week has taken its toll on our law enforcement community, who desperately need our prayers.

“Law enforcement officers are a lifeline for their communities, and their work is a calling from God,” Franklin Graham said.

If you don’t know where to start, here’s a practical guide to help inform how we can best pray for those who serve and protect us.

I Timothy 2:1-3 " I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;"

 Petition means to ask. God urges us to ask, and He is pleased when we do.

• Prayer is talking to God, anywhere, anytime, in any way.

• Intercession is praying for someone else. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ constantly intercedes for us (see Romans 8:34), so it pleases God when we intercede for someone else—including heads of state and others in authority—because we are doing what Christ does.

• Thanksgiving always pleases God, and the Bible specifically tells us to include thanksgiving when talking to God about those in authority.

We are to pray respectfully for leaders. I Peter 2:17 "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."

We are to pray with the clear understanding that government authority is established by God. Romans 13:1 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

You should pray using words and thoughts from Scripture.

Pray that God would open the hearts of law enforcement officers who are far from Him and draw them to Himself. Acts 16:14

• Suicide is rampant among law enforcement—in fact, these men and women are at higher risk of taking their own lives than people in any other profession. Pray that officers who are facing hopelessness would discover the hope of Jesus Christ. Psalm 40:1–3

• The rate of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression is five times higher among law enforcement than it is in the general population. These individuals regularly witness devastating violence. Ask God to heal their hearts along with those who work and live with them. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

• Despite high unemployment rates in cities across our country, the number of police recruit enrollment
continues to drop. Pray that the Lord would call young men and women who know Him, love Him, and followHim to serve their communities in law enforcement. Ephesians 4:1–3

• Pray for law enforcement leaders in departments all over our nation. Ask God to give them wisdom, strength, and guidance as they serve. 1 Chronicles 22:12

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, police training programs have adapted to include new topics like
de-escalation, mental illness, and crowd control. Please pray for both new and seasoned officers as they learn how to best serve our communities. Psalm 21:11; 1 Kings 3:9

• While studies indicate that as many as one in four police officers has experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD, only a fraction of them will ever seek help. Many say they are too embarrassed to ask. Please pray that God would help law enforcement leaders create a supportive work environment for officers. Colossians 3:12