Sounds like he knows what he's doing, so he's presumably prepared to take his chances. Is it not unreasonable or illogical to seek divine intervention on behalf of particular individuals in such a theatre? I know someone whose son is in Fallujah now who would consider the notion pathetic, as would his son. Anyway, if Eric does need Special Protection, he could try this by John Betjemen:

In Westminster Abbey

[....]

Gracious Lord oh bomb the Germans,
Spare their women for Thy sake,
And if that is not too easy,
We will pardon Thy mistake.
But gracious Lord, whate'er shall be,
Don't let anyone bomb me.

Keep our empire undismembered,
Guide our forces by thy hand,
Gallant blacks in far Jamaica,
Honduras and Togoland.
Protect them Lord in all their fights,
And even more, protect the whites.

Think of what our nation stands for,
Books from Boots and country lanes,
Free speech, free passes, class distinction,
Democracy and proper drains.
Lord, put beneath thy special care
One-eighty-nine Cadogan Square.

[.......]

Now I feel a little better.
What a treat to hear Thy word,
Here where leading statesmen
Have so often been interred.
And now, dear Lord, I cannot wait,
Because I have a luncheon date.