Prayers for this Day
Dear Restoration,
As the rain soaks our land, I know that many of us will pause to give thanks for our veterans today. As you remember your loved ones, neighbors, and co-workers; as you perhaps think about your own vocation to serve in this calling; may the Lord meet you in your prayer-filled conversation and intercession.
Our Book of Common Prayer has intentionally provided prayers for the church to come alongside those who serve by protecting and defending our nation. May these words help you find words for prayer.
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [BCP p.655]
O King and Judge of the nations: We remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our armed forces, who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy; grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, now and for ever. Amen. [BCP p.636]
Father in heaven, I pray that you would cause wars to cease, increase our understanding and trust, and hasten the day of our Lord’s return when we will see those peerless promises from Revelation 21: ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’
I ask for this in Christ’s name, Amen.
God bless you, Restoration.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. [Psalm 31:22]
-David
