Today I spent a little time with some sweet people in Santa Barbara.  There is a veterans center there that is right across the street from a marina.  It was my job to pray an invocation and benediction for them.  It was an easy task.  Easy because I love my country and I just love to be with people who have sacrificed so much.  It is such a privilege to be with vets who understand service… and volunteerism …and teaching the next generation what all these things mean.

Here is an excerpt of my prayer for them:

Heavenly Father, 

Today we are thankful for men and women who honor their country with loyalty and love.  They put on a uniform and stand between a hostile enemy and us.  Lord, you said, “Greater love has no man than that he lay down his life for his friends…”  Our soldiers display this kind of love on a daily basis.  

We are also thankful for Americans, both military and civilian, who volunteer in hospitals and USO’s around the country.  Their service and compassion cannot be measured.  They lift the spirits of our nation’s heroes. And they do it quietly without expecting anything in return. 

We are thankful for the exemplary courage and benevolence of the young American soldier who serves as an excellent ambassador for our country…showing bravery when necessary and compassion by loving the downtrodden and those who cannot help themselves.  No matter how well it is received or reported, their hearts are in the right place.  We celebrate their accomplishments and pray for your protection on the soldier, the sailor, the airman and their families…

We pray that you would bless the efforts of veterans all over the country to remind all Americans that there is truly a cost for their freedom.  We love and believe in our young men and women in uniform.  Bless them, bless these veterans today, and help us, Lord, as we strive to be “one nation under God.”

Today is their day.  From the Civil War to the present day.  We honor the men and women of this nation who wear or have worn a military uniform.

PS