A Soldiers Prayer

A Soldiers Prayer Now I lay me down to sleep The weary soldier said With a backpack for a pillow And a ground-cloth for a bed I dare not sleep too soundly For fear I will not wake If duty once more beckons And action I must take I pray to God my soul to keep While I am in this place That He will wrap me in his arms This child of his embrace Wipe away the fear I feel As I face each new day Understand my sorrow For my brothers gone away If I should die before I wake I pray you will protect Those that I have fought for Their heartache not neglect Please overlook their anger They cannot understand Why I had to go and fight For someone else’s land I pray the Lord my soul to take If my time on earth is through Forgive me my transgressions But I did what I must do With that the soldier closed his eyes Then opened them again And whispered “Thanks for listening Lord” Til next we talk, Amen