Remembering

Someone asked me for a copy of the prayer I offered yesterday at the Maplewood Memorial Day remembrance service.  As I was writing it, I realized how connected we become when we hear each other's stories.  It is my hope that in hearing the stories of those who gave their lives in service to this country, that we will understand just how significant the losses of war truly are and become more committed to peace.  Here is the prayer:

Please pray with me.

Gracious God, we thank you this morning for this time to come together and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their love of this country and the safety and freedom of its people.

We know too well the losses related to the beautiful treasures of those lives.  The daughters and sons, the fathers and mothers, husbands and wives who miss them terribly.  We know too well the losses we all share.

We pray today to help us truly remember.  

Help us to tell the stories of their lives.  Help us to ask their families and friends about their passions, the jokes they told, the work they did, the time they spent together.  Help us to ask about their favorite teachers, the games they played.  

Help us to hear into the stories of their lives the hopes they had for each of us and for this country so that we may be inspired to honor them in every part of our own lives.  

We pray today that in hearing the stories of lives given, we will come to some understanding of what they were willing to and did sacrifice for each of us.  We pray that with a deeper understanding, we can more truly honor those lives and hold the treasure of that gift in our hearts more fully.

God of love and life, in our thanks and need we say this prayer, Amen.