MEMORIAL DAY

A Time for Celebration & Reflection

"This weekend, Americans will gather with friends and family for pool parties and barbecues. Hot dogs and hamburgers will fly off the shelves, while furniture stores and car dealers will run sales. Memorial Day is a great American tradition. It's also a time to reflect on what the holiday means . . . 

"It’s in memory of the patriots who pledged their lives and sacred honor in the fight for American independence. Motivated by their belief in a God-given right to individual liberty and self-governance, they grabbed their hunting muskets and defeated the most powerful military force of their time . . . 

"It’s about the thousands of men and boys who, less than 80 years later, took up arms once again to more fully realize the Founders’ bold statement that all men are created equal . . . 

"It’s for soldiers likeFirst Lieutenant Walker Beale, who was killed in action on Sept. 18, 1918 at 22 years old. Beale was one of the millions of young American men who fought in World War I and more than 100,000 who died fighting to keep totalitarianism at bay . . . 

"It's in honor of the lives we continue to lose, including the 11 Marines, one Navy sailor, and one Army soldier who returned home in flag-draped coffins from Afghanistan last August. Despite the horrifying scene that unfolded in Kabul, our service members served faithfully, demonstrating the selflessness, bravery, and patriotism that characterizes our military. For their families, this year’s Memorial Day will be deeply personal. For the rest of us, it’s a reminder of the risk that members of our military assume every time they put on the uniform.

"But as sobering as Memorial Day is, it’s also beautiful. This holiday spotlights true acts of courage when it mattered most. It urges us to consider the things worth dying for. It honors the patriots past and present who gave their lives in service of a greater, lasting cause. It’s as much about remembering our war dead as it is a lesson to the living about the high cost of freedom. So with the long weekend, enjoy the family time and ring in the start of summer. But also consider the sacrifice required to guarantee the freedom, security, prosperity, and peace that makes it possible." Ronna McDaniel, Townhall 5/28

PRAYERS FOR MEMORIAL DAY

From My Prayer Book

"Almighty & eternal God, Ruler of individuals & of nations, I bring my thanks to You this Memorial Day for all the blessings that You have given our nation. Prosperity has reigned in our country, & enemies have not been able to subdue us, because You have graciously held Your protecting hand over us. Help us to know & to acknowledge that freedom, prosperity, & other blessings come from You, & make us thankful.

"I confess, Lord, that Your blessings are entirely undeserved. Irreverence, lust, theft, murder, & sins & crimes of every description are the shame of our privileged country, & with others I can only bow before You in shame. Merciful Father, forgive our personal sins & our national sins for Jesus' sake. Enlighten us by Your Word. Make us upright citizens of our dear country & worthy members of the community in which we live. Move us to bow under authority, first under Yours, & then under the authority of our government. Give us & all countries of the world a lasting peace, & teach us to live together as befits Your children. Bring about a mighty Christian revival, & turn to You the hearts of millions who now live in unbelief.

"As our memories go back to those who have died to preserve our liberties, make us grateful & humble. Give us the determination to do all in our power to safeguard our freedom.Make us diligent in prayer for our country, guide & lead those in authority with Your sure counsel, & give power to all Christian witness that not only Christians of today but also man others may be brought to eternal life through You; for Jesus' sake. Amen."

From Lutheran Book of Prayer

"Gracious Lord, heavenly Father, on this day we pause to remember the sacrifices made for freedom throughout the past centuries. We do indeed owe a debt of gratitude to those who have paid dearly for the liberty we enjoy. Yet, O Lord, I know that good government, peace, & freedom are really gifts granted from Your fatherly hand, as I confess in the Creed. As we remember those who have served our nation, help us to remember that civic duty, no matter how well done, does not grant entrance to Your kingdom. We are saved by grace, through faith in Christ, apart from our works. Freed from the Law's demands, I know that I am now free to serve my neighbor for my neighbor's sake. May the sacrifices of those who have gone before me serve as examples. When I meet those who have served, remind me to thank them. Almighty Gd, guide the leaders of our nation. Watch over those who serve in our armed forces, especially those far from home.  *And above all, grant that we, Your children by faith in Christ, may find a field of service in which we, as salt & leaven, may uphold righteousness, order, & peace, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

* Our nephew Kyle, who's in the Navy, is currently deployed on a ship.