Memorial Day Prayer 2015 at West Wharf, Madison, CT – Pastor Greg Scalzo

Invocation delivered at the Madison, CT Memorial Day Ceremony at West Wharf

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father

We ask Your blessings upon this Memorial as we remember those departed servants of our nation who guarded our freedoms and protected our lives. We seek Your presence and Your comfort upon each person here, as our hearts ache with the thought of their passing. And we humbly request that the service they rendered would be valued by the future generations of our country, that that which is noble and good would not pass away from our land.

As we place the wreath upon the water, we remember the years of service these men and women gave and we remember their sacrifice—some the sacrifice of life itself.  And we think of the words of Jesus in the gospel of John, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

With the rounds fired in the air, we salute their bravery and dedication, remembering the teaching in Your Word which says, “Behave courageously, and the Lord will be with the good." (2 Chron 19:11).

And as we hear the bugle’s voice echo back, we know that we have the surety that these friends, loved ones, and devoted countrymen are not gone, but are even now in Your merciful hands. In Christ we will see them again.   For You have promised a new heaven and a new earth where You will dwell with us and be our God and “wipe every tear from our eyes.  There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Rev 21:4)

Our Father in heaven, we thank You that you have provided access to eternal life.  And we pray that You would give to us, who remain in this world, the love and courage and faith to honor those who have gone before, that we would secure Your favor and Your hand of blessing upon America.

I ask this as a servant of Him whose sacrifice and death purchased life, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

© 2015 Gregory J. Scalzo