Not everyone considers themselves believers. Not many people live a church lifestyle. However, there are very few who would completely deny God for themselves. Often we don’t even suspect that faith and hope for God’s help are stored deep in our hearts and are just waiting in the wings. For some, this hour comes during periods of difficulty and testing, when we realize that our own strength is not enough, when we are tired, exhausted, when our human weakness is revealed and it seems that fierce enemies have risen against us. No wonder they say: “There are no unbelievers in trenches.”
The army today is not only a harsh school of life, in which the strength of a man is tested and tempered. In our cruel times, military service is associated with particular danger; in many cases, death stares a soldier in the face. Therefore, a warrior of any rank needs faith in God and all possible prayer. Then, in critical situations, God will share with us our natural human weakness, fear, pain, and this will become the basis of courage, wisdom, indestructible will and spirit. This is precisely what has always been the basis of the victories and fearlessness of the Russian army.
By calling on the Lord from the depths of our despair or mortal danger, we ask Him, in essence, to be both our God and Friend. And He never refuses those who ask.
You can pray anytime, anywhere, in any place, at any time, under any circumstances. And when everything is fine, and when sorrows overwhelm you. You can pray alone, when you have a free minute to collect your thoughts, and in the midst of people on the road, in the barracks, during training, praying silently to yourself. You can pray in your own words and with church prayers. For this there are short prayers for all occasions:
Lord, have mercy!
Lord help me!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
The prayer given here is called the “Jesus Prayer,” or “Smart Prayer,” because it is usually read in the mind, silently, and repeated many times. On the march, on guard, during a combat operation, ask with all your heart for help from God, repeating this prayer continuously in your mind.
Morning prayer of soldiers
O our God! Give us strength on this day to serve You and the Fatherland forever.
Evening prayer of soldiers
God! Save, preserve, have mercy on us, in the darkness of the night, the warriors and all of Russia, and protect them with Your Cross from the forces of the enemy, and send us a righteous dream.
Before going to bed, sign yourself with a cross and say a short prayer to the Honorable Cross:
Protect me, Lord, by the power of Your Honest and Life-giving Cross, and save me from all evil.