Honor our Heroes!

I don't come from a military family, realtors and pastors, mostly. So, I don't really understand firsthand the sacrifices made while a loved one is away fighting to maintain our freedoms. Nor do I fully understand the anxiety and waiting that family members back home experience. But I am extremely grateful, nonetheless, for those brave and selfless men and women who serve and have served our country over the generations.

My husband, on the other hand, does come from a military family. His father served in the Navy, and his family at one point lived in all 4 corners of our country near various military bases. In fact, we were married on a military base overlooking a beach. Many other family members have faithfully served as well.

While some of us may not have family in the armed forces, I believe we all at least know someone who does. At the very least, we can say we are thankful to live in a place where we are free to believe as we choose, worship as we choose, speak and write what is on our minds and hearts, and pursue life, liberty, and happiness.

Yesterday was a day to memorialize those who have gone before fighting on our behalf. It was a day off from work to spend with family, perhaps barbecue, and pray a prayer of thanksgiving and protection over our soldiers and their families.  But is that where it ends?

While we get back to business as usual, their sacrifice and work does not end. So, neither should our prayers. Can we commit to teaching our children to add just a line or two in our prayer times to pray a prayer of protection over our military and peace and provision for their families? We may not have specific names and faces to go with those prayers, but when two or more are gathered, we know there is power in our prayers.

My hope is that we moms can nurture an attitude of respect and humble gratitude in our children for the courageous men and women in uniform and make it a normal part of our daily lives to pray for them and their families. May Memorial Day be every day in our hearts and prayers. Let's pray together.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the sacrifice You made in sending Your Son to die that we may be free from the bondage of sin, and thank You for those brave men and women who follow in His footsteps, laying down their lives that we may have freedom to worship You. Please protect them Father. Please give them the courage and strength to fight the good fight each day. We ask that You protect their families and provide comfort and peace for them as they anxiously await the return of their loved ones. Please comfort those who mourn the loss of a fallen soldier who is also a mother, father, son, daughter, friend, etc. May their sacrifices not be forgotten or in vain. Please help us to teach our children an attitude of gratitude and prayer when it comes to those we owe our freedoms to. May we remember to keep our military in prayer each day and not forget or take their sacrifice for granted. Thank You, Lord.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.