Today, Holy God, I give you thanks for those who have given their lives for others and for me. I thank you for the ones who signed up to serve their country, who ultimately gave their lives for a cause they believed in, or even for a cause they didn’t understand so that I can go on living my life in safety and freedom. I grieve the young person who will never be an older adult, who thought they were committing just a few years of their life, who never wanted to be a hero, but instead received a hero’s memorial service upon their return. I pray today for mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, sons and daughters whose lives will always have an empty spot, aching for the presence of someone who sacrificed for me. Come to them as the Holy Spirit of comfort. And most of all, I pray for the safety of all those who serve, men and women of both honor and duty, knowing that their service is for me and those I love.
 
This weekend, as I remember them, I pray for peace. There is no naivete in my prayer for peace. I know it is not as simple as holding hands and singing kumbaya. But I cling to your promise in Scripture there will be a day when no young person dies in any war, and no one is harmed on all your holy mountain. I pray that day comes sooner rather than later and that we all do the hard things that make for peace.
 
God, when I am focused on the daily challenges of my life, the ups and downs and pulls and pushes that seem so important overwhelm me with gratitude for those who have given so much to make it possible for me to lead the life to which I am called.
 
In the name of the one who showed us the power of sacrifice, Jesus the Christ. Amen.