Jesus, you said, There is no greater love than to lay down
one’s life for one’s friends. Today we pray for those men and women who
have, in their military service, sacrificed their time, strength, ambition,
health, and even their lives on this earth to benefit friends, known and unknown.
Many of our warriors carry scars in their
hearts as well as on their bodies. Dark
memories haunt their dreams at night.
Fear clouds their waking hours.
Jesus, you came to give us abundant life by providing a way for us to
release our pain to you. On the cross
you bore our sorrows and brokenness and when we trust you, we can exchange our
wounds for your joy in a future unhindered by fate. Bring this gift now to the veterans of our
nation who bear tangible and intangible wounds.
Heal them, Jesus.
Bless the families of soldiers who bear
these pains vicariously. Give them patience and wisdom and strength to endure,
and more than to endure, to hope in faith for a blessed life. God, not everything that happens in life is
good. But you promise to work all things
together for good to those who love you and align your lives with your
purpose. Create good in the families of
veterans who have experienced pain and loss.
Do this miracle, we pray.
We honor our veterans in your name. We thank you – as we thank them – for their
sacrifice. We ask you to return the
favor of your blessing, a gift we on our own could never offer. We ask that you would give our veterans a
peace beyond the peace they fought to secure, a peace in their own hearts,
wrapped in the joy of a life touched by your strong hand.
Amen.
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