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I'm going to try to get this in under the wire, the third posting, and so, I hope, a blessing.

Almighty God, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfuly in our generation and honor your holy Name.

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son's Name: We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ear to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to they will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting for of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.
For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women,
For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faitful in adversity,
For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you Lord.

We thank you for the men and women who have made this country strong. They are models for us, though we often fall short of them.
Inspire us.

We thank you for the torch of liberty which has been lit in this land. It has drawn people from every nation, though we have often hidden from its light.
Enlighten us.

Help us, O Lord, to finish the good work here begun. Strengthen our efforts to blot out ignorance and prejudice.

O Judge of the Nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedome and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless the DC FReepers.

In honor of all our troops, but especially those troops at WR who have had to fight more than one war:

Soldier

When you are a soldier I will be your shield
I will go with you into the battlefield
And when the arrows start to fly
Take my hand and hold on tight
I will be your shield, 'cause I know how it feels
When you are a soldier

When you're tired from running
I will cheer you on
Look beside you and you'll see you're not alone
And when your strength is all but gone
I'll carry you until you're strong
And I will be your shield 'cause I know how it feels
When you're a soldier

I will be the one you can cry your songs to
My eyes will share your tears
And I'll be your friend if you win
Or if you're defeated
Whenever you need me I will be here

When you're lost in darkness I will hold the light
I will help you find your way through the night
I'll remind you of the truth
And keep the flame alive in you
And I will be your shield
'Cause I know how it feels
When you are a soldier

Artist: Steven Curtis Chapman Lyrics
Song: Soldier Lyrics