SALISBURY — Rowan County sheriff’s Deputy L.R. St. Clair considers having a total stranger take time from their day to pray for his safety a humbling experience.

St. Clair is among many local law enforcement officers for whom residents say a special prayer through the Shield a Badge With Prayer program.

Anyone can sign up for the program and commit to praying for a law enforcement officer and occasionally sending that officer a birthday card or an encouraging note. The program was created by the Rev. Michael Taylor, chaplain for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and pastor of Phaniels Baptist Church in Rockwell.

“It’s humbling that someone would take time out of their day to commit to praying for us,” St. Clair said.

He believes in the power of prayer and says the prayers are what have kept many officers safe.

St. Clair said prayer is needed considering what officers have to deal with daily. He said local agencies have been blessed recently to not have anyone seriously injured.

He’s been in law enforcement for 38 years. He is currently a lieutenant over a patrol team and a Special Reaction Team leader.

“Your prayers can make a difference in whether an officer lives or dies or is harmed or not harmed. You can make a difference. These men and women are willing to risk their lives for us,” Taylor said.

“Prayer is the open invitation and means whereby the Christian fellowships and communicates with his or her Savior and God. But it is also an offensive weapon that he or she can use to combat evil and the devil,” Taylor said.

He said prayer is one of the greatest weapons a Christian possesses.

Taylor admits committing to prayer isn’t easy and can be difficult to maintain, but it is “so rewarding,” he said.

“When I pray, I can see God at work in an otherwise hopeless situation. And when I pray, I am moving this problem out of my hands and into God’s hands,” he said.

Taylor said many people depend on his prayers and the prayers from the people who committed to being part of the program.

“According to scripture, God’s prophet Samuel counted it a great sin if he didn’t pray for Israel. And Job prayed daily for his grown children,” he said.

“Prayer allows the officer to go out each day into an evil environment with God’s protection,” Taylor said.

When people ask why they should pray for others, Taylor said he tells them, “so we will be able to live quietly and peacefully and godly in this sin-riddled world.”

He said as people agree to pray for law officers, they should be reminded that “it is God who has placed them in that position by our prayers.”

He said while the officers serve the community, they also are serving God and are directly accountable to him.

“As a child of God, and as one who loves law enforcement, I beg you to set aside a time and place each day to pray for those who serve.  Thank you for praying for all law enforcement,” Taylor said.

Taylor has served as chaplain at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office for the past 25 years and as pastor of Phaniels Baptist Church for 26 years.

Anyone interested in the Shield a Badge With Prayer should contact Chaplain Michael Taylor at 704-782-7201.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.