Pocket Chaplain

Lord, I don't know what this shift will bring, but You do. Give me a clear mind, a calm voice, and a steady heart. Help me see each person as someone You love. Protect my partners and me, and bring us home safely. Amen.

God, I saw things today that I can't unsee. I give You what I carried out of that scene. Hold the people who were hurt. Quiet the replay in my mind, and help me rest. Remind me I don't have to carry this alone. Amen.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Before you walk into your home, pause in the car for one minute. Take three slow breaths. Name one thing from today you are handing to God. Then name one person inside you are glad to see. You can come back to the hard things later, with your chaplain or someone you trust.

Some calls don't end the way anyone hoped. If you showed up, did your best, and acted with care, you did your job. What happened is not all on your shoulders.

Lord, my heart is broken. I miss them. I don't have the words, so I bring You my silence and my tears. Comfort me, comfort their family, and hold us all close. Amen.

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Grief comes in waves, sometimes long after a loss. There is no right way or right timeline. If it is getting heavier instead of lighter, reach out to your chaplain or a grief support resource. You don't have to explain it perfectly.

Father, bless my home. Give my family patience with my schedule and give me patience with them. Help me be present when I'm home. Protect our marriage and our children, and fill our home with grace. Amen.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind... Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Your family lives with this job too. Tell them one true thing about your day, even a small one. Ask about theirs. Shared meals, short walks, and honest conversations rebuild connection that long shifts wear down.

Lord, be with the spouses, children, and parents who wait for their officer to come home. Calm their worries, give them rest, and let them feel Your peace. Amen.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Lord, I'm tired in my body and in my spirit. Renew my strength. Show me where I need to rest, who I need to talk to, and what I need to set down. Amen.

Short temper, trouble sleeping, pulling away from people, or feeling numb can all be signs of burnout. They are common in this work and they are not a weakness. Talking with your chaplain, peer support, or a counselor early helps.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

God, my body is still on alert and my mind won't settle. Help me feel safe again. Give me patience with myself as I recover. Lead me to the people and help I need. Amen.

After a critical incident, it is normal to have trouble sleeping, feel on edge, or replay what happened. These reactions usually ease with time and support. Stay connected, keep routines where you can, and talk with your chaplain or peer support team.

Others have walked this road and found their way through. Reaching out is not a sign that something is wrong with you. It is how strong people stay strong.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul... Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.

Put both feet on the ground. Notice five things you can see, four you can hear, three you can touch. Breathe out slowly, longer than you breathe in.

What happened on that call was real, and so is this moment. You are here now, and you can take the next step when you're ready.

Name one thing you did well today, even something small. Name one thing you're setting down until tomorrow. Then let yourself rest: eat something, drink water, and sleep if you can. Rest is part of doing this work well.

Missing someone hurts because they mattered. There is no right way or right timeline to grieve. Let the people around you help, and let yourself remember them out loud.

Lord, I place the one I love in Your hands today. Go with them on every call. Give them clear thinking, good partners, and safe roads. Quiet my worry while I wait, and bring them home to us. Amen.

Some days your officer walks in with little to say. Silence isn't always distance; sometimes it's what a hard shift leaves behind. A simple "I'm glad you're home" and a little space can mean a lot.

When the quiet lasts for days, or you're worried, gently name what you see and suggest reaching out together to the chaplain or your pastor.

Children notice more than we think. Keep it simple and honest for their age: "Mom helps people who are having a really bad day." Let them ask questions, and it's okay to say "I don't know."

Routines help kids feel safe when schedules change. A goodnight call, a note in a lunchbox, or a special breakfast after night shift can become something they count on.

Father, watch over our children. When a parent misses a game, a holiday, or a bedtime, fill that space with Your love. Give them peace instead of fear, and help them be proud of the one who serves. Amen.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Spouses, partners, parents, and children carry this work in their own way: the late dinners, the missed holidays, the waiting. Your care is part of what keeps your officer going. You deserve support too, and the chaplain is here for you as well.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.