Although many of us will be preoccupied by other things today, Veterans Day remains a day of thanksgiving for the sacrifices of our Veterans past and present. It is also a day on which we can re-dedicate ourselves to praying for peace. Today, take advantage of the opportunity to recognize and remember all those individuals who have served honorably or are serving now in the armed forces. At the very least, observe two minutes of silence at 11am today, the 11th day of the eleventh month. The first minute in prayer would be for the soldiers who have died. The second minute is to pray for those who survived. Pray not only for the soldiers, but their spouses and children. Our country’s observances at Arlington National Cemetery begin Wednesday at 11am and start at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A “Veterans Day Prayer”
“God of peace, we pray for those who have served our nation and have laid down their lives to protect and defend our freedom. We pray for those who have fought, whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war, whose nights are haunted by memories too painful for the light of day. We pray for those who serve us now, especially for those in harm’s way. Shield them from danger and bring them home safely. Turn the hearts and minds of our leaders and our enemies to the work of justice and a harvest of peace. May the peace you left us, the peace you gave us, be the peace that sustains, the peace that saves us. Christ Jesus, hear us! Lord Jesus, hear our prayer! Amen.”
