God of the living and of the dead, God of our ancestors and of our descendants, God in whom we all live, and move, and have our being: We come before you in prayer on this Memorial Day to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country and those who gave their lives in service to others or to protect others’ lives.
We thank you for men and women who set aside their everyday lives to enter military service. Some volunteered; others were drafted. Some became officers, and others served without significant rank. We give you thanks for them all.
We pray especially this day in remembrance of those who lost their lives while on active duty. In your eyes, no life is inconsequential, and no death insignificant. Send forth your Spirit to comfort their loved ones.
Your Son taught us that no one has or expresses greater love than one who lays down his or her own life for the sake of another. We pray in remembrance of all those — military or civilian — who gave their lives while in service to others or in order to save others’ lives. Such selflessness is an embodiment of your all-encompassing love in our world. Grant that, as we reflect upon and remember such self-sacrifice, we may follow their example and set aside our own self-interest in service to others, even when that service may put our own lives or safety in jeopardy.
We also pray that you would open us to all acts of love, large and small, that others do, so that we may be grateful for them, and to those acts of love that we may do, so that we extend your Kingdom through our loving deeds of service to others. All this we ask through your Son, our Savior, Christ the Lord. Amen
Note: I no longer remember where I got the origins of this prayer, but I know that I adapted it. If it’s yours: apologies if it looks like I stole it; feel free to reach me at [email protected] and let me know the source.