Memorial Day Prayer

Since this coming Monday is Memorial Day, I have been trying to write a Memorial Day prayer. I've probably read over a dozen prayers claiming to be for Memorial Day, but I haven't been happy with either of them. They seem to have one of two problems:

1. Some of the prayers seem to imply that the soldiers of the US are doing God's work. They tie our country and our religion a little too tight for my taste, as I believe that nothing is above the Kingdom of God - and that the US certainly doesn't embody the characteristics of God's Kingdom (just as no country currently on earth does).

2. Other prayers take the opposite tack, and are so careful not to intertwine the US and Christianity, that they forget the meaning of Memorial Day: to honor fallen soldiers. Instead, they focus on other things - sometimes not even mentioning our soldiers or our nation at all.

There has to be a middle ground somewhere. There has to be a place where we can thank God for our country, and thank God for the men and women who have defended this country, without stating that God has somehow made us better than others who live in other countries. Has God blessed us in the US? Absolutely! But I believe he has also blessed the people of other nations as well - often in different ways.

So after reading these various prayers on the Internet and in the United Methodist Book of Worship, I have come up with something that I plan to use in our church this Sunday. I'm copying it here for review and critique, if any so desire:

Righteous God,
You are the Lord and the Creator of all that is, all that was, and all that will be.
You rule over every nation,
From the United States of America
To the smallest countries of the world.

We thank you, Lord,
That you have blessed us with freedom and liberty in this country
Just as you have blessed citizens of other countries in numerous ways.

We also thank you, Lord,
For those brave men and women who have sacrificed themselves
Even to the point of death
To uphold and protect those freedoms
From people and nations which are seeking evil for us.

We trust, Lord,
That though there is a time for war,
There is also a time for peace.

Help us to live then, not as people of war,
but as people who desire and love peace
Help us to be more eager for agreement than for victory.
And help us to refrain from hate, but seek to always show your love.

For we desire to be faithful to you, and to your Son Jesus Christ,
Amen.

40 Days of Prayer for the United Methodist Church

A few months ago, I ran across some chattering on the Internet from some of the Young Clergy in the United Methodist church. Among other things, the idea was floated around of holding a Prayer Vigil - 40 days of prayer starting May 18th. This date was chosen to coincide with the first Annual Conference this year.

Please join us in praying faithfully for the renewal and revitalization of the United Methodist Church.

PS - I wrote the prayer for June 16th...