Honoring Our Veterans with Prayer

Two decades after World War I officially ended on November 11, 1918, the U.S. passed legislation to have a legal holiday every November 11, honoring veterans who served in that war. As time marched on and America fought more wars, Veterans Day became a national holiday honoring American veterans of all wars.

Before personally knowing someone who fought in a war, I didn’t give much thought to Veterans Day other than the commercial aspect of a few good sales. I regret my previously flippant recognition of this important day.

Before Bill went to fight in Iraq, he was an electrician with the same company for 25 years. He had retired from the United States Coast Guard and was what his wife called a weekend warrior for the Virginia Army National Guard. It seemed unlikely Bill would be called to serve overseas since the VA National Guard had not been called up for war since World War II. His children were primarily out of the nest, and he and his wife were looking forward to their retirement. However, the 9-11 terrorist attacks changed all that. The United States ordered Bill’s unit to join the war in Iraq, and his family was shocked when he left for the war with orders to serve for 18 months.

When Bill returned in 2005, his family welcomed home a courageous and radically changed man who had lived through horrible events. The chaos of war dictated his days.

He told of entering a city where the enemy had placed a beheaded man against a post at its entryway—the hand-written sign on his chest translated, “This is what will happen to anyone who speaks to the Americans.” He recounted how deeply the enemy hates and wants to destroy all Americans. He carried the bodies of young men in his unit whose lives were cut short by the 2004 dining hall suicide bomber in Mosul, Iraq. The horror stories could fill a book.

The suffering and death of the men in his unit (most of them young enough to be his sons) broke his heart. He cried for their parents, knowing how devastating it would be to lose a child. Bill was awarded the Purple Heart for his war injuries during battle. He still struggles with the memories of all the evil, death, and danger. He has severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) along with physical pain from his injuries. He’s totally disabled.

Bill is one of thousands of veterans who are celebrated on this day. They fought so we could be safe from our enemies. They demonstrated the greatest love for us. A national holiday is hardly enough to show them our gratitude and respect. We can’t undo anything they’ve been through, but we can do what the Bible tells us to do–love them and pray for them. They carried out the greatest of loves. Jesus, You command us to love them as You love us.

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:13-14, 17 NLT)

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. (1 Timothy 2:1)

Lord Jesus, You are not a stranger to war and know our veterans’ stress. Please comfort and strengthen them with your Holy Spirit. Meet each of them right where they are today and speak to their souls. You’ve brought them through many trials. Help them see Your mighty hand at work in their lives and know how much You love them. Heal their hearts as well as their bodies. Please help us show our sincere thanks to them, and help us all never forget the sacrifices that they’ve made. Help us to love them just as You love us.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.