Prayer 2676: For Memorial Day

Most Merciful God,
we worship You and give You thanks,
delighting in the blooming proof of Your love
in fields alight with wildflower
and in loving hearts that share our burdens.

Your gracious hand sustains us and shelters us;
Your sheltering wing draws us near and shields us.
Your love forever will we sing and share.

Grant us wisdom and empathy
to make each other's wellbeing our duty,
to use our freedom for the defense of others
as did those gallant dead who offered their all
in defeating tyranny, racism, and hatred.

May we be worthy to honor their memory
by purifying our hearts,
taking up the cause they leave to us to finish.

In their memory, O God,
strengthen us in truth,
and make us noble, self-sacrificing, and brave,
a people who stand for peace
founded upon compassion and hope.

Holy One, fill us with a Spirit of Integrity and Faith;
bless us with wisdom and discernment
to do what is right for the most vulnerable.
Send your angels
to comfort those who remember and mourn,
and grant your blessing to those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2311: for Memorial Day

For Memorial Day 

Most Precious Jesus,

we rise to give you praise,

and lay our thanksgivings at your feet.

Breathe upon us, Breath of God:

renew our hearts and spirits

that we may love as little children love,

in joy and wonder. 

Help us honor those

who have fought overseas or at home

for the freedoms we now enjoy,

and who longed for peace. 
Help us remember our call

to defend the oppressed,

the impoverished,

the marginalized,

and the weak. 
Strengthen us, O Almighty God,

to stand against those

at home or abroad

who espouse violence, hatred, inequality, or tyranny. 

Lord, you know the inmost secrets of our hearts:

comfort all who mourn.

O Gracious Spirit,

illumine our hearts with your truth and glory,

and lift up those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 1948: For Memorial Day

Almighty God, Our Shield and Our Guide,
we rise to give you praise,
and lay our thanksgivings and prayers at your feet.
Breathe upon us, Breath of God:
renew our hearts and spirits
that we may turn aside from evil and willfull ignorance,
from unkindness, casual cruelties, and malice,
and remember You created us in light, O Creator,
and call us to love, honor, wisdom, and service.

As children of God, whose peace surpasses all understanding,
may we fight tyranny and oppression wherever it takes root,
both at home and abroad,
even in our own hearts.

May the memories of those
who have fought overseas or at home
against violence, genocide, enslavement, and terror
be treasured and honored by us,
that we too may fight for the common good,
for the brotherhood of all humanity,
honoring the human dignity of all persons.

May we memorialize their sacrifice and honor their service
by building a society rooted in true peace and plenty,
in equality, generosity and hope,
a fitting monument of justice that will endure
long after statues have crumbled,
parades have ended,
and flags have faded.

By their sacrifice, may we be consecrated and dedicated
to remember our call to defend the vulnerable,
the impoverished, the marginalized, and the weak,
which is your commandment, O God, from time immemorial.

May we remember that freedom can never be built
on pain, suffering, or oppression
in any form:
may we, too, be willing to give up our comfort
for the sake of those who need our help.

Strengthen us, O Mighty Defender, O Prince of Peace,
to stand against those at home or abroad
who espouse violence, hatred, inequality, or tyranny.

Lord, you know the inmost secrets of our hearts:
comfort those who mourn, and those who remember.
O Gracioue Spirit,
illumine our hearts with your truth, glory, and beauty,
and lift up those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer, Day 1585- For Memorial Day

My dad, on the right, graduated from Hobart High School in 2002 two days before his before his 80th birthday. He dropped out of high school after the Pearl Harbor attacks and joined the Navy, to serve in the Seabees in World War II. In 2002, the Oklahoma legislature passed a law granting diplomas to any veteran who was in a similar situation. The entire school district put on a remembrance of World War II, and all the kids and my dad's entire family were there.

Most Precious Jesus, we rise to give you praise, and lay our thanksgivings at your feet. Breathe upon us, Breath of God: renew our hearts and spirits that we may love as little children love, in joy and wonder. 

Help us honor those who have fought overseas or at home for the freedoms we now enjoy, and who longed for peace. 
Help us remember our call to defend the oppressed, the impoverished, the marginalized, and the weak. 
Strengthen us, O Almighty God, to stand against those at home or abroad who espouse violence, hatred, inequality, or tyranny. 

Lord, you know the inmost secrets of our hearts: comfort all who mourn. O Gracious Spirit, illumine our hearts with your truth and glory, and lift up those we now name.

Amen
1224

Prayer 1224: For Memorial Day

This flag flies every Memorial Day in honor of my father, who was a Seabee in World War II.

For Memorial Day 
Most Precious Jesus, we rise to give you praise, and lay our thanksgivings at your feet. Breathe upon us, Breath of God: renew our hearts and spirits that we may love as little children love, in joy and wonder. 

Help us honor those who have fought overseas or at home for the freedoms we now enjoy, and who longed for peace. 
Help us remember our call to defend the oppressed, the impoverished, the marginalized, and the weak. 
Strengthen us, O Almighty God, to stand against those at home or abroad who espouse violence, hatred, inequality, or tyranny. 

Lord, you know the inmost secrets of our hearts: comfort all who mourn. O Gracious Spirit, illumine our hearts with your truth and glory, and lift up those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 853

Holy God, we give thanks to You for your gracious mercy upon us, and for the beauty of loving hearts in the world. 

We thank You for steadfast and faithful friends, whose love and support strengthens us each day. We thank You for the glory of your creation, which inspires us to love and care for this Earth. We thank You for your angels who bend over us at sleep or at work or at play. 

Kindle our hearts and minds with a holy fire to serve and worship You with all that we have. Soothe the pains and sorrows of those who mourn today those lost in defense of hearth and home. Accept the whispered supplications of your people, O Holy One, and scatter the blessings of your love and tenderness upon those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 490- For Memorial Day

Almighty God, we face the rising sun with hope for this new day, filled with thanksgiving for your mercy and compassion. 

We remember those who have sacrificed their lives in the cause of freedom and justice: may our nation always strive to be worthy of that gift. We pray for those who have returned from battlefields wounded in heart, mind, or spirit: may we sacrifice for them to restore them to new life. Loving One, make of us a priestly people, dedicated to the belief that all are created equal and are precious and beloved by You. 

In your tender compassion, place your healing hand of benediction over those who are in danger, pain, or any kind of trouble. Succor those who thirst for peace, comfort those who are restless with anxiety, and bless those who mourn.

Amen.