A Prayer, For Those in the Military
Almighty God
We stand before you in supplication,
Asking Your Divine mercy and protection,
To envelop with Your invincible armor,
Our loved ones in all branches of the service.
Give them courage and strength
Against all enemies,
Both spiritual and physical,
And hasten their safe journey,
Back to their homes and families.
If it be Your Holy Will
That they be gathered to Your bosom,
With the eternal vanguard of the saints,
Let their journey to Your everlasting arms
Be swift and painless,
Where they may stand in honor and glory,
Praising You for all eternity.
Amen.

For Those Who Mourn
All Powerful God, healer of hearts, bodies and souls, we ask that you deal gently with those who grieve and weep. Let them know that no servant of yours ever dies in vain. Let them cast the weight of their burden upon you, so that they might care for those left behind and remain faithful in their own duties. Give them the wondrous consolation of faith that all who participate in Christ’s death will also have a share in his resurrection. Remind them that where our beloved dead have gone, we are also going. The sadness of separation will one day be replaced with the joy of reunion in the company of all the saints and with you. We beseech you to wipe away our tears and to plant within each of us a rededication to you as your disciples.
For the Dying
We keep a spiritual vigil with the dying. Even as we pray now, there may be service men and women who are passing away from their wounds. While we cannot be with them in the flesh, we can place ourselves beside them within the wondrous mystery of the communion of the saints. Gracious God, we commit them into your loving care. We have many old warriors who were engaged in wars long ago. They fought as Americans have always fought, for justice and freedom. Many of our older veterans are sick and dying. What an enemy could not do, time and human mortality will soon accomplish. We are only pilgrims in this world. Real life awaits us when the shadows part. May we be able to do today what they did half a century ago in Western Europe and Japan, their sacrifices made possible the transformation of enemies into friends.
For the Dead
Almighty God, we beseech you not to forget your servants who gave up so much in the service of our country and as disciples of your Son. We also pray for our brothers and sisters of other faiths, but who cherish the same virtues and values that make America a land of promise and hope around the world. Death strips away our differences, and we are all brought naked before the judgment seat of God. Grant mercy and pardon to our beloved dead. Forgive their faults and perfect them in the fire of your love. Clothe them in Christ, the white gown of the elect. Receive them ever more and more into your joyful service that they might win the heavenly crown.
Amen.
Final Blessing and Dismissal
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