REMEMBRANCE through PRAYER

 

November 9, 2023

1 Timothy 2:1-4

2 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

 

I imagine we all have seen the “secret” homecoming videos on social media of Military service personnel arriving home to surprise their spouse, children, or parents. Real tear jerkers aren’t they?  When I see these videos, I am reminded that as a civilian I am fortunate enough to be with my family each day. Something, I believe, we take for granted at times until we are separated in some way.

To serve our country’s military is a huge commitment and sacrifice. Sometimes this comes without much in the way of support or gratitude. I suppose, without the exception of November 11, Remembrance Day.

Today I want to share with you some prayers that we can pray for our Canadian Military service women and men. I originally posted these prayers 3 years ago, but I feel they are helpful as way to pray for Veterans and currently serving personnel. If you know someone who is serving include their names in the prayers and make it personal. These prayers were published by writer Bob Hostetler.

Let us use these prayers in our prayer times this week and beyond.

1) To Feel Honored
“God, please let every veteran of our nation’s armed forces feel truly and appropriately honored by the attention and appreciation of their fellow citizens. Let no one feel forgotten or neglected. Let every man and woman, young or old, feel the deep and enduring gratitude of our nation and its inhabitants.”

2) To Be Understood
“God, You know that it can be difficult for a person who has returned from battle or stressful military service to reintegrate into ‘normal’ everyday life. You know that veterans can feel isolated and alone even in the midst of their friends and  families because there are few around who understand their experience. So, I ask You to place in the path of our veterans those who do understand (or strive to), that they may feel less alone. Remind them often that while their fellow human beings may never fully comprehend, You see, You know and You identify with them in everything.”

3) To Be Healed
“Lord, You know how deep a warrior’s wounds go. You know the loss of many of our veterans in body and soul. You know the memories that haunt them and the scars that many of them continue to carry.  Please bring healing to those veterans who still hurt. Please grant patience and wisdom to those around them who cannot understand but can sometimes help the healing process. Please apply both natural and supernatural medicine to their wounds.”

4) To Be Rewarded
“Father, please turn your gaze to those men and women who in their military service have sacrificed time, comfort, strength, ambition, health and prosperity for the peace and safety of family and friends and others they’ve never even known. Please reward them a hundredfold for all their sacrifice and service. Bless them far beyond all their expectations. Reward them richly for all they have given.”

5) To Know You
“Almighty God, You know every veteran by name. You know their deeds, their hard work, and their perseverance. You know their needs, both material and spiritual. Please draw each one closer to you and grant them all the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7), the peace of Christ to rule in their hearts (Colossians 3:15), and ‘joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand’ forevermore (Psalm 16:11).”

 

Amen