November 9,
2023
1 Timothy 2:1-4
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
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