This is a no-brainer. Just as Jews who lived in Europe davened for the Czar, his health and his army even more so should we as Jews pray for the IDF soldiers and their successes. Nowhere or no one said that they are the sole (soul) protectors, they are the “shlichim/messengers” of the one above.
IDF soldiers have saved Jews that were hijacked in Entebbe and they are on call for Jews in trouble throughout the world.
If we as Klal Yisroel would have been more attentive to Hakaras Hatov to the IDF and the government’s support of Limud Hatorah we would not be in the fix that we are in now!!!