Remembering Our Fallen, Praying for the Living

O Lord God of all generations, the nations rise and fall before You. On this day we remember the horrors of war and the mercies of Your providence in the past. We give You thanks for those who have served in our armed forces and the families that have loved them, missed their presence, interceded in prayer for them, and rejoiced at their safe return. Especially, we pray for those families who did not see their loved ones return because they gave their lives in defence of freedom and this land that we love. 

This year we lift before you the families of those who were injured and died at C.F.B. Wainwright. Watch over their spouses and children, taking them into Your tender care. Heal the injured and bind up the broken hearted. Raise up around them the supporting arms of Your Christian Church, and send Your holy angels to minister to them and comfort them. We thank you for our military chaplains who minster with Your care in the midst of such loss and sustain them and their families as they meet the families who are grieving with Your compassion and care. 

May we never forget the sacrifices that have been made for us by those courageous men and women in the conflicts of the past. Lord of the nations, we pray, according to Your good and gracious will, that You would grant peace among nations in this time as well. Put into the hearts of rulers and nations the desire to avert bloodshed, strife, and selfishness. You guarantee to all eternal peace through faith in the atoning work of Christ Jesus on the cross. May Your Gospel be proclaimed that the foundation of love may be laid in Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace, through whom we pray. Amen. 

Based on the prayer “On Veterans Day”, Kinnaman, Scot A., ed. Lutheran Book of Prayer, CPH (St. Louis, 2005), p.175-176.

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