Almighty God, our Heavenly Father

As we have remembered the different branches of our
nation’s armed forces this morning, so now we give special
memorial to the naval dead. We are so grateful for their
service and sacrifice. Some sailors died at sea. Some were
never recovered, their bodies lost to the depths. But they
are not lost to You, for to You O God all are alive. And we
are so thankful for the assurance of Your Holy Word that
there is a life after this life and a world after this world—that
along with the sadness of our memories for fallen comrades
and lost loved ones this Memorial Day—along with the
solemn realization of how many died to protect this nation
over its history—we have great and joyous hope.

And let us not neglect to lift up before You the current
defenders of our nation, facing many dangers around this
globe. We ask Your blessings and protection upon their
young lives: that You would shield them with Your mighty
hand and outstretched arm.

Almighty God, in our country’s history, when citizens
gathered and prayed for Your protection upon our troops
and upon our land, the minister, reflecting the humility of
the people, would ask You to forgive us our sins as
individuals and as a nation, and to help us to turn from sin
back to righteousness: That Your mercy and grace would be
upon these United States of America. Father, You heard
those prayers, delivered our land, and gave victory over our
enemies, so that we remained a free and secure nation.
Therefore, I likewise pray this prayer today, as a servant of
the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

© 2016 Gregory J. Scalzo