Loving God,
we take time today to uplift the hearts
of those for whom Memorial Day
is a time of reflection and enduring bereavement.
On this day we remember with compassion
your children who have lost their lives to war;
incline us to honor their memory, loving God,
with a sincere pledge to seek peace
and nonviolent solutions to world conflict.
We pray for the safety of those in military service,
and care for the many returning from combat
with wounded bodies or minds,
sickened by the sight and sounds of war.
Our prayers also extend, Great Comforter,
to those who still wait and pray
day by anxious day
for that moment of reunion
with a distant family member, friend, or loved one.
And to others – whose reunion has been sorrowfully delayed
until a heavenly homecoming –
we offer the gentle assurance
of your promise to all believers,
“Blessed are those who mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
- John Wallenhorst
Memorial Day, first observed on May 30th in 1868, when flowers were placed at the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. Our nation honors all who have died in service of our nation on this day.
Reflection:
To raise awareness about the meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in December 2000 asking all Americans at 3 p.m. local time “to voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps’.”
Let us join our hearts for peace throughout the world today.
Tags: Memorial Day, Prayer, spirituality
