Running With Perseverance

Prayers For Those Who Serve

In my career as an attorney, I’ve had several opportunities to work on veteran’s issues. Each time, I was saddened to see how we don’t always keep our promises to take care of those who serve, and happy to do what little I could to make things right.

In one of the churches that I attend from time to time, part of the weekly service includes reading the names of military service members who died the week before. I am always grateful for the reminder that men and women are putting their lives on the line, because it is so easy to forget the sacrifices that they and their families make in service to our country.

Today, many Episcopalian churches will use this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer:

For those in the Armed Forces of our Country

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I also like this prayer:

For those who suffer for the sake of Conscience

O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.

To all of our service members and their families,
I extend a heartfelt thank you.