A Soldier’s Prayer

They’re soldiers, wounded soldiers in the hospital bed. I saw from their eyes the hidden fear that they’ve experienced from their enemies. A soldier’s wife cried, her children sobbed silently looking at the remains of their father who was killed in the massive operation, the military launched against the terrorist Maute-ISIS inspired rebellion and invasion of Marawi City, in Mindanao. The wife said that her husband had sent them a text message saying they would have an operation that day.

Prior to that, inside the house where Jerry, a marine soldier, and his family lived, his wife Anita was crying.  Beside her was their 7 year old son. Jerry had been assigned to Marawi City, and it was his last day together with his family. The whole, night Jerry never slept. He just sadly looked at his son, Junior, who was sleeping. When he kissed him and whispered goodbye, Junior opened his eyes. Upon seeing his father, he embraced Jerry saying, “Tatay huwag ka ng umalis,” Jerry smiled at his son and made a promise, “Hindi ako magtatagal, anak. Sa birthday mo, naririto na ako,” he said.

In one of their encounters with the Maute-ISIS inspired terrorist, a bullet struck at Jerry’s chest. He regained consciousness at the hospital’s emergency room and heard the doctor who conducted surgery on him, saying, “He’s so lucky. Bilib ako sa fighting spirit ng sundalong ito. He can live.”

That word made Jerry stronger and he thanked God for that miracle. He is confident, he would still see his family and be present at his son’s birthday as promised.These experiences of our soldiers remind me of a beautiful prayer I’ve read. The soldier who wrote it was unknown but the message in a blood stained piece of paper where it was written and found inside a foxhole during World War II are clear:

Stay with me God,

the night is dark, 

the night is cold.

My little spark of courage dies.

The night is long,

be with me, God,

and make me strong.

I have a game, I have to fight,

I hate the dark, I love the light.

I love my child, I love my wife. 

I am no coward, I love life.

Life with its change of mood and shade

I want to love, I’m not afraid,

but me and mine are hard to part.

I know that death is but a door,

I know what we are fighting for.

Peace for the kids, our brothers freed,

a kinder word, a clearer breed.

I am but the son my mother bore.

A simple man and nothing more.

But God of strength and gentleness,

Be pleased to make nothing less.

Help me, o God, when death is near

To mock the haggard face of fear,

That when I fall – if fall I must –

My spirit may triumph in the dust.

Being a soldier requires exceptional courage. They have to sacrifice in leaving their families. They have to obey orders. They have to attend to their call of duties, no matter how dangerous. Compared to soldiers during World War II, our soldiers today were facing a different kind of enemies. They are our own brothers in the same backyard where we live. They are enemies who fought not for their country’s cause but for their own personal gain and interest. Enemies who have “evil motives”.  Enemies with intention to sow terror to a peaceful community. Enemies who kidnap innocent civilians, kill women and children without mercy.

These enemies are cowards and remain in hiding. They can’t fight our soldiers face to face but instead use innocent civilians as shield when cornered. They’re enemies who plant bombs to crowded areas like bus terminals, LRT stations, shopping malls and market place. They are now the most dangerous creatures in this planet. They can blow passenger airplane, make the tallest building collapse and make themselves human suicide bomb. They can travel and hide everywhere.

Our soldiers cannot fight these enemies alone. We have to join them in the fight. They are but just a few and we have so many eyes to watch their moves, their plans, and their evil motives against us. Terrorist have no place to live in this planet. We must help each other to eradicate them. Support and pray for our soldiers in Marawi City.