13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
—The words of the Lord Jesus Christ from John 15:13
On this Memorial Day, may we never forget the sacrifice made by men and women to preserve our freedoms.
Decoration Day
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Atlantic magazine, June, 1882
Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest
On this Field of the Grounded Arms,
Where foes no more molest,
Nor sentry’s shot alarms!
Ye have slept on the ground before,
And started to your feet
At the cannon's sudden roar,
Or the drum’s redoubling beat.
But in this camp of Death
No sound your slumber breaks;
Here is no fevered breath,
No wound that bleeds and aches.
All is repose and peace,
Untrampled lies the sod;
The shouts of battle cease,
It is the Truce of God!
Rest, comrades, rest and sleep!
The thoughts of men shall be
As sentinels to keep
Your rest from danger free.
Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.
Will you pray with me?
Thank You, God, for loving us. Thank You for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Thank You for sending us Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
We praise You for those You have raised up to protect our liberty and our freedom to worship You over the last 236 years since the founding of this nation in 1776.
We pray that You will continue to watch over the men and women serving in the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. Keep them safe. Fill them with determination, but also with compassion.
In a way that is uniquely Your own, Precious Father, let them know of our love and of our appreciation for their service. And Father, please also let them know of our watchful prayers in their behalf.
Thank You, dear Father, for leading us by Your Holy Spirit along the pathway that You have laid out before us. And, thank You for hearing our prayer in and through the precious Name of Your Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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