Military service can be a stressful, yet important and meaningful, calling. From boot camp to deployment, PCSing to promotions these verses can offer a sense of calm and purpose, even in the turbulence of military life. No matter the branch of service– Navy and Marines, Coast Guard, Army, Air Force, Space Force, National Guard, or Reserves– and no matter if your loved one is a proud sailor, airman, soldier, Marine, or guardian, these verses are applicable to their life of service and sacrifice.
These verses also can be used creatively for special moments in your loved one’s military journey. Consider them for use during a promotion celebration, send-off for deployment, TAD/TDY, further education, or boot camp, homecoming, or other times of importance. They can be used independently as a scripture reading, a verse on an invitation, or an inscription on a meaningful gift.
These 36 verses come from the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible and speak to those who are serving or will be serving in military service and the military families that support them. Use them all at once or pick one that speaks to you. If you’re not sure how to use them, try these ideas:
- Include a verse or two in Open When letters.
- When writing to a boot camp recruit, include a verse in your letter. (You can do this to someone who is deployed, too.)
- If your service member has access to their email, send a verse once a week. (You can even schedule out these emails ahead of time to save time and batch your process.)
- Write verses on post-it notes and put them in their luggage as they are packing.
- Write verses in the blank pages of a journal that can be used for reflection and note-keeping.
- Write a verse on a notecard and slip it into their wallet.
- Inscribe a verse on a gift, like a water bottle, plaque, or other special item.
1. Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
2. Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.”
3. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
4. Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my hear trust in Him, and He helps me.”
5. Jeremiah 29:11
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
6. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
7. Psalm 56:3-4
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
8. Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
9. Psalm 91:11
“For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
10. Psalm 29:11
“The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”
11. Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
12. Psalm 116:5-6
“The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me.”
13. John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
14. Ephesians 6:13
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
15. Romans 5:1
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
16. Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
17. Psalm 33:20-22
“We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone.”
18. Philippians 4:12-13
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
19. 2 Samuel 22:2-4
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the One who saves me from violence. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies.”
20. Deuteronomy 31:6
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
21. 2 Corinthians 9:8
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
22. Isaiah 65:24
“It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”
23. Psalm 139:9-10
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
24. Psalm 91:14
“’Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.’”
25. 1 Peter 5:8-9
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
26. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
27. Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
28. 2 Samuel 22:30, 33, 47
“With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!”
29. Psalm 4:8
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
30. Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident…I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord ; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord .”
31. Psalm 31:14-16
“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.”
32. Psalm 73:23-28
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”
33. Isaiah 40: 29-31
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
34. Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
35. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
36. Lamentations 3:21-25
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
