My dad has been a police officer for 20 years. Every morning he wakes up, puts on his uniform, and leaves his family to protect yours. He stays at work till two or three in the morning, making sure that our neighborhoods are safe. He knocks on doors not knowing what or who is behind them. He confronts and arrests murderers, rapists, robbers, and pedophiles. He is constantly putting his life on the line for the safety of others. And so are thousands of other police officers every single day.

My dad does not do this for the money - because the pay isn’t all that great. He doesn’t do this for recognition - because he is almost never recognized for putting his life on the line. He risks his life every day because he is a good man. He is an honest man who genuinely cares for the safety of his community, regardless of race, gender, or social class. And thousands of other police officers are like this. Thousands of police officers put their lives on the line for the safety of others. They leave their wives, daughters, sons, and fiancée’s every morning to face dangerous and life threatening situations.

There has been a lot of negativity directed towards police officers lately. And as the daughter of a police officer, I just want to ask everyone to step back for a moment and pray for the safety of our law enforcement officers; because the overwhelming majority of police officers are good people. They are strong, loyal, selfless people.

So pray for our police officer’s safety. Pray for them to have wisdom and clarity to make the right decisions in all situations. Pray for them to have compassion for the innocent and guilty. Pray that they have the strength and courage to do their job to the best of their ability. And pray that God is by their side at all times.

And don’t stop praying once the protests stop, or the news coverage comes to an end. Because police officers don’t stop. They still wake up every morning, put on their uniform, and leave their family to protect yours – and some don’t make it home.

Here’s a prayer that everyone can say for our law enforcement officers. Share it with your friends, family members, co-workers – and ask them to pray for our police officers too.

“Dear God, watch over all policemen and law enforcement officers everywhere. Protect them from harm in the performance of their duty to stop crime, robbery, riots and violence. We pray, help them keep our streets and homes safe, day and night. We commend them to your loving care, because their duty is dangerous.Grant them strength and courage in their daily assignments. Dear God, protect these brave men and women.Grant them your almighty protection. Unite them safely with their families after duty has ended. Amen.”