Might as well try

So, I am new to this whole blogging thing and I hope that I can keep it up! I have wanted to do it for a long time now, but just got around to it. It is almost 9pm and ready to rest a bit before bed. It was nice to have most of the day off (Veterans Day). We celebrated Veterans Day in church on Sunday and I was amazed at the number of men and women who have served in the armed forces. There were a ton! I truly am grateful for their service and their courage. The prayer I shared with the congregation was:

God of the ages,

We thank You for all who have served in the armed forces of this country.

We thank You for the freedom their sacrifice has earned and guarded for us.

Help us to prize this freedom and use it well.

We ask You to bless all living veterans in a special way today,

as well as the families of all veterans.

Comfort those who grieve for those who gave the last full measure of devotion. Strengthen those who bear physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds.

Stand with those who provide care to them.

Move us to reach out to sisters and brothers who are veterans,

or relatives of veterans, or who currently serve in the military.

We pray for the day when no one needs to serve in the military.

Help us to live now in anticipation of that day, as people who long for peace,

who pray for peace, and who seek to be peacemakers in this world. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I did not write the prayer and can not track down the author but it touched me. So, as I sit here thinking about the day I had 'free' from work, I am reminded of all those who have served this country and risked their lives. I also hope and pray for a day when there will be no need for a military; when peace is more than something we hope for and becomes a reality.~