Gracious, Sovereign God, Lord of all nations,
On this Veterans Day weekend, we pause to reflect upon our blessings as a nation.
Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy, for the opportunity to flourish, to thrive, and for the security of our land. Thank you for the freedom to gather this morning to receive what only you can give: forgiveness, renewal, restoration, and rest in Jesus Christ.
We offer thanks for, and to, those who have served in the armed forces of our country. Committing themselves, for a season or a lifetime, to the service and defense of their neighbors. You are the shield around us through the men and women who wear this nation’s uniform. We ask that you fill our hearts with gratitude for the soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen, and airmen you call to service among us.
Renew our hearts, Lord, and give us such a servant’s heart, for you are the Servant King. Renew our hearts, Lord, for we quickly forget the sweet taste of forgiveness, and the fullness of forgiveness. We quickly forget how much we have been gifted in Christ, that we might pour out those gifts to others.
Renew our hearts, Lord, and make us receivers and proclaimers of the Gospel, of the Good News, of Christ. Receivers and proclaimers of the Good News of salvation. Receivers and proclaimers of the Good News of restoration. Receivers and proclaimers of the Good News of forgiveness on account of the crucified and living Christ. For according to His promise, having been forgiven, whoever we forgive is forgiven. And if we do not proclaim forgiveness, then who will?
So we call on you, Lord, to cause us to walk in unity with the Spirit and mind of Christ that we might show sympathy, and live in brotherly love with tender and humble hearts. Renew our hearts so we do not live according to the world’s expectations, repaying evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, cause us to forgive, bless and serve our neighbor, for to this we are called in Christ, whose forgiveness washes over us that it may flow onto and into others.
AMEN.