O Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and All Holy Spirit, in every age You call certain people to defend the human family from oppression, tyranny, and evil. Since our founding as a nation ‘conceived in liberty,’ countless men and women have stepped forward to defend our great nation, the United States of America from all aggressors, to liberate those held captive, and to promote freedom and justice.

Today we honor our veterans: those who rest in revered glory, those who still suffer from the wounds of war, those who enjoy the blessing of living in the land of the free, as well as our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who are presently serving and facing danger.

O Lord, thank You for the selfless sacrifice of these veterans and of their families. Help us to remember them, to pray for them, and to care for them. May the souls of our departed veterans find eternal peace in Your Kingdom, and may we comfort their families with Your unfailing love.

 Please heal our wounded veterans through the grace of Your Holy Spirit, and grant your ‘peace that passes all understanding’ to comfort those who continue to experience emotional, physical, and psychological trauma. We also pray for healing and peace to all the people who live in the regions in which our veterans have fought.

We ask for an end to wars and the dawn of a new era of peace. Give us the creative vision to see a world which, grown weary with fighting, moves to affirm the life of every human being and thus moves beyond war. Turn the hearts and minds of our leaders and those of our enemies to the work of justice and peace, of love and harmony for all people.

Hear our prayer, O Prince of Peace and may the peace You left us, the peace you gave us, be the peace that sustains us and the peace that saves us. For to You belong all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and to the ages of ages. Amen.