WE REMEMBER
Our Beloved Heavenly Father,
We have paused and come together from all over this nation and world to remember the darkness of the time this nation's soil was attacked by those who had designs on power and conquest. Our President then, Franklin Roosevelt, stated at the time that that day would live in infamy. It has indeed, for while it is certainly remembered by those who were alive at the time, there are now at least 2 more generations who have learned to remember it.
Father, we are grateful that we had fine young men who were on duty that day, but we still mourn the loss of them. Father, we continue to commend them into your keeping.
We are grateful for the fine young men and women who serve on duty this day. We ask that you will protect them and guard them in their duties, whereever they take them.
Our Father, we ask you to help us remember this day, not in a sense of vengefulnes, for you have stated in your Word, "dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." But rather, help us to remember out of a sense of gratitude that we as a nation and people were determined to value our way of life enough to put it ALL on the line.
War was a terrible time, and there was a terrible cost of lives and lost peace of those who were there. It was a cost these precious ones have stated was worth paying, and we today affirm that. There have been stories of healing between soldiers of America and Japan. For these we are grateful. We are grateful that America and Americans, in addition to fighting for what we believe in are able often to forgive.
We ask for help in remembering this past time of assault because freedom is always under assault, and must be defended. We have as a nation suffered another grievous assault, and we are at war once more. It is a different kind of war, and it is not only this nation which has been targeted, but this entire civilization which has been thousands of years developing. Father, grant this nation and her leaders and her people, and all of her allies the Vision and determination to win this war. Help us to have the fierceness we must have as warriors and protectors of freedom, both as soldiers and those who serve at home. We ask for your blessing, and we ask for your guidance. We ask for your very Presence. Then, after the war is won, perhaps you may grant us the time and space for healing and forgiveness once more. Until then, WE REMEMBER. WE REMEMBER IT ALL.
Father, let all this be done only according to your will.
Amen