A Prayer for Veteran's Day

 

I have been regularly asked to provide the invocation and benediction for the Veteran's Day observance here in Troy, Michigan. I do so as a member of the community and as a chaplain for the Troy Police Department. Whatever your views of the military and war, veterans deserve respect. Our current military is all-volunteer, which means many families are not as affected as during the age of the draft. I am not a veteran, but my father served in the Navy during World War II (pictured). I have had parishioners who served in the military, including in Vietnam. So, I answer the call to pray. I offer here the prayer I shared this morning. 

************

Eternal God,

      We have gathered as a community to honor people who served in the armed forces with dignity, honor, and courage. As we honor them for their service, may we learn the virtues of selfless service, loyalty to the country, the discipline of teamwork, and perseverance in challenging situations.

We give thanks for their service whether it was in a time of war or peace. We honor those who put their lives on the line in times of war, often without the gratitude and support from those of us who did not serve.

While many have served in times of war, we recognize that our veterans may have served our nation in many other ways. They have offered their expertise and labor bringing relief and support to communities and people in need or built dams, roads, and bridges. For these acts of service and more, we give thanks.

       We recognize that many veterans carry with them physical and mental wounds. Their lives were changed forever because of their willingness to serve. May they know your healing presence and compassion. Even as we pray for those who were wounded in their time of service, we pray as well for those families who lost a loved one or even await word of a loved one who is still missing in action because of their service. May they know your peace and our compassion.

      While we honor the veterans we cannot forget their families, especially spouses and children, who may have waited anxiously for news of their loved ones who had risked their lives in places far from home. For their willingness to share their loved ones with all of us, we give thanks.

      While we honor veterans for their military service, we also pray for a spirit of peace to come upon the nations of this world so that our people would no longer need to be put in harm’s way. We look forward to that time when, in fulfillment of the prophet’s words, the nations “shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

      We who love this country, ask that you not let us forget those who served and continue to serve. May their example encourage us in our service to community, country, and world, so that together we might pursue the common good of all creation, here and abroad.   Amen.