Memorial Day Prayers

These prayers were said after the Memorial Day Parade yesterday at the ceremony at the old war memorial.

Invocation

O God of all the ages, as we gather here this Memorial Day weekend, to remember and honor the heroes of our past and our present, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty. And when they return to their homes, guide them as they reconnect with their family and their community. Keep us ever mindful and careful of the responsibilities laid upon us through the freedom won for us by heroes past & present that we may be faithful in that trust to guard and protect those freedoms & civic responsibilities for all our people and for the generations to come. Grant this our prayer in your most Holy Name. Amen.

Benediction

ALMIGHTY God, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy and especially for those men and women who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to those who are commemorated on these memorials and those written in our hearts your mercy and the light of your presence. And give, O Lord, to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will and that we may walk away from this place today, grateful for what has been given to us. Grant this our prayer in your most Holy Name. Amen.

adapted from the BCP and other sources...