Heavenly Father, we thank you for the selfless service of those who gave their lives to protect our nation, preserve our freedoms, and restore peace in the face of brutal aggressors. Grant relief to those who continue to experience emotional or physical agony from their days of combat. Give us a sense of responsibility for their welfare. Comfort those who mourn for loved ones who died while performing their duty to our country. Enlist all who are in our military forces into your church militant, that they may pledge eternal loyalty to Christ, our King, and know his peace. Amen
A Prayer for Veteran's Day
Posted in * Culture-Watch, Military / Armed Forces
I appreciate the addition of a prayer or two to this blog in recognition of Veterans Day. I spent 1970 in Vietnam in a relatively peaceful job. I came under rocket attack only once or twice. I still have vivid memories, however, of seeing body bags laid out on the tarmac (ARVN, not US), of standing in the flight operations center watching the officers hang their heads down after one of our planes was lost (no beeper, no chute), and of being on a medevac plane full of wounded soldiers. I know of other veterans who saw things too unspeakable to mention. Leaving my wife and two toddlers for a year was like death for all of us. We weren’t really sure if we would see each other again, but were afraid to say so. I’m sure she watched the news daily with absolute terror in her heart. When I returned, my children didn’t even know me (“Is that my daddy?”, one said.). My wife and I struggled for years to reconnect after that difficult experience.
If churches want to honor Veterans Day, then they should adopt families of those serving overseas. Pray with them and for them. Make sure these frightened women and children have the help they need to get through what will be the most difficult times of their lives. Remember that many husbands and fathers will come home deeply damaged. Some won’t come home at all. And above all, don’t add to their pain by using the war to make political points.