“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13, NIV)
Today is Veterans Day and I’m reminded of these famous words from the Lord. He shared this with his disciples shortly before his own crucifixion.
It is a truism every human can grasp – the greatest expression of love for someone else is the sacrifice of self. I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to our veterans – something we don’t nearly do enough.
And, if you will, please say this prayer with me:
Lord, thank you for the men and women who serve and have served in the armed forces for our country. Whether they knew it or not, they were following your lead. They put themselves in harm’s way and made huge sacrifices many of us will never know. On our behalf, many of them did things they would never choose to do. We ask that you would look over them, care for them, protect them. Meet each of their needs according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. We ask that you heal their bodies, their minds, their hearts. We ask that you restore what the enemy has stolen from them and what the locusts have eaten. We ask that you would help them be optimistic of the days ahead, that you would keep the enemy from turning them cynical or bitter. We ask that you would help our government and Veterans Administration prioritize these men and women again. Lord, you are the God of redemption. Only you can work all things together for good…so we ask you to redeem those aspects of their service that need redemption. Lead them to your Son, and help us be a thankful people. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
