For This Child I Have Prayed

“I prayed for this child, and the Lᴏʀᴅ has granted me what I asked of him.” —1 Samuel 1:27

Growing up, I never gave much thought to the police. I was taught to obey police officers, but they didn’t play a large role in my life.

Fast-forward 30 years: I am an adult living in St. Louis, Mo. I am the mother of an adult son who is a Brentwood, Mo., police officer.

My son has talked since high school about his desire to be a police officer. He attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, and majored in criminal justice. After college he attended the police academy. During the 2014 incident in Ferguson, Mo., in which a black teen was shot by a white police officer and riots ensued, he said, “I can’t wait to protect the community I love.” I am so proud of him.

Today I think more about the police. I pray that my son stays safe. While doing his job, his words and actions will be scrutinized at a level unknown to most of us. He will often be considered guilty until proven innocent. Instead of being honored and respected, he will often be accused of racially profiling while doing his job.

Police officers need a safe place where they can mourn the loss of innocent people—a place where they can share the weight of seeing sin and depravity in all people and all races. I hope for my son that this place is the church.

For years I prayed that the Lord would change my son’s desire to be a police officer, and later that God would change my heart so I could accept my son’s choice. My God is faithful. I no longer wish my son had chosen a different career. Instead, I admire his love for and dedication to his city and its people, and I admire even more his faithfulness in answering the call God has for him.

In a time when it is not popular to support police officers, I ask you to join me in honoring these brave men and women. Pray for them and their families. Most importantly, believe, unless otherwise proven, that their intentions are honorable and good.