Children in military families face unique challenges. They face long periods of separation, the fear of losing a parent, frequent relocations, and parents struggling with physical or mental injuries from war deployments.

Research suggests just having a parent deployed could increase a child’s chance of depression, bullying, and suicidal thoughts by between 27 and 50 percent more than a non-military child. During both the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, the number of military children receiving outpatient mental health care doubled while inpatient visits by military children increased by 50 percent.

There are an estimated 1.7 million children who currently have a parent serving in the military. They need the truths found in God’s Word. Truths like Psalm 34:4 (CEV) that says, “I asked the Lord for help, and he saved me from all my fears.” God wants to replace the stress and worry that military kids face and replace it with his peace.

Hero Squad – God’s Truth for Military Children

To connect military children with the truths in his Word, American Bible Society’s Armed Services Ministry created Hero Squad. Hero Squad seeks to address the practical and spiritual needs and challenges of 25,000 military children. Once enrolled, participants receive a quarterly gift box with weekly Bible study materials, Scripture-based family activities, and other gifts all provided by monthly donors.

The goal is to launch the program by enrolling the first 100 children in Hero Squad this year. But we need your prayers. Your prayers can help deliver God’s truth to the children of America’s heroes and help during their darkest hours.

3 Ways You Can Pray

Pray for:

• Financial provision. Ask God to move on the hearts of financial partners to give to the Hero Squad program so it can serve military children not only this year but for more years to come.
• Partnerships. Pray for God’s favor, strength, and grace for those all helping to offer this program to military families such as local churches and military chaplains.
• Transformation. Pray that military children will experience God’s hope and peace as they engage with the truths in God’s Word.