For what shall we pray?
For what shall we pray, O Lord? For strength, for victory, for a swift peace? Certainly! But we pray also to be worthy of the faith of our loved ones. We seek help that our souls shall not be corroded by the grim work that we must do. Above all, give us light to see that our sacrifices are made for Thee. Amen.
Dr. Philip S. Bernstein
In the picture –
The Soldiers from 3rd Platoon, 62nd Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion pray before a mission. Although not all of the Soldiers are religious, they all join in to be a part of the circle and pray before every mission.
Picture from the Military News Network 11/22/09
http://www.militarynewsnetwork.com/military-news/news1080.htm
Make Real to Our Hearts Faith & Courage
Our Father Who art in Heaven, Who through Christ our Lord hast taught us that Thou art near us on earth:
We stand today, uncovered, desiring the consciousness of Thy presence, in faith that while we are at one in spirit with the heroes of the common good we are not far from Thee.
Give us to know the power of the lives this day commemorates. Bring vividly before our vision all who have hazarded their lives for country and home, and make real to our hearts the faith and the courage by which our fathers and our comrades lived and died. May our minds be open to every sacred memory, and may our hearts be receptive to every holy impression.
Here in the awareness of Thy presence we would dedicate ourselves anew, in confidence that life’s battle is not lost and that our comrades have not died in vain. Consecrate with Thy presence the way our feet must go, and lift us above bitterness, and hate, and unrighteous anger into faith and courage and good will. Guard us against violence of spirit and preserve us in mental and spiritual health, that whatever bodily sacrifice awaits us, we may endure with patience, keeping faith with ourselves, our loved ones, and with Thee.
Comfort the sorrowing, soothe the suffering, and be near to bless the dying, granting them the preparation of the gospel of peace for the life beyond. Remember in mercy the children of Thy creation, and bring us out of our confusion and strife to know that the fruits of righteousness shall be peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Colonel Ivan L. Bennett, Army Chief of Chaplains 1952-1954
Unfaltering Hope and Invincible Determination
Almighty and Eternal God, Creator of heaven and earth and all things, we humbly acknowledge Thy dominion over all nations and governments. Thou art the God Who alone dost wonders, and Thou hast made Thy prophecies that, because of evil in the hearts of men, nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be pestilences and famines, and destruction and death in many places.
We stand before Thee this day, surrounded by dangers and threatened with the loss of all those blessing for which we have sacrificed so much. Enlighten our minds in order that we may see Thy good and gracious purpose working in all human events. Teach us to know that love of our Country is love of our neighbor and that there is no love where there is no sacrifice. Help us to remember that Thou dost always save a humble people, and fill us with a wholesome fear of Thy infinite wisdom and power, goodness and mercy. Thou has warned us that without You we can do nothing and hast promised us that with You we can do all things. Sustain us by Thy grace and take us under Thy sure protection.
In these days especially, open our hearts to the inspiration given us by all those who in other parts of the world are sacrificing their lives, their health and security, and all their earthly possessions in defense of truth, justice, and freedom. Through Thine own Way of the Cross grant them the faith and heroic courage to endure unto final victory and immortal glory. May their soul and our be filled with unfaltering hope and invincible determination by Thy eternal pledge that “they who sow in tears shall reap in joy: for going they went and wept, casting their seeds; but coming, they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.”
Clear our minds and cleanse our hearts that we may be worthy comrades of all those who suffer daily cruelties and agonizing sacrifices for the salvation of their children and their nation. May Thing all-seeing eye never detect in us any ingratitude or selfishness which might increase their hardships of frustrate their sacrifices.
Send forth Thy Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with faith and love and courage; and we shall be recreated, and Though shalt renew the face of the earth for Thine honor and glory and for our peace and happiness. Amen.
Bishop (Major General) William R. Arnold
He served as the 5th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army from 1937 to 1945 and Military Delegate of the Armed Forces from 1945 until his death in 1965.
Speak to Me Above the Noise of Terror
Dear God, compassionate Father, be with me now and always. Guide me through this night and the day beyond. Strengthen me to endure, enable me to accomplish, speak to me above the noise of terror and destruction, grant me the courage to meet whatever comes. And bless, dear Lord, my comrades; sustain and keep in safety all those I love, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Faith Baldwin
Daily Guide us to Higher and Better Things
“Our God and Father, we give Thee thanks that there is One Who knows us and cares, and daily guides us to higher and better things. We humbly confess where we have hesitated in the face of duty, or have been half-hearted in the pursuit of our tasks, or willful in our own conceits. We thank Thee for the day when we may make amends for our failures. We pray for Thy presence to give us courage as we meet the responsibilities of each hour. To Thee we commit the life and destiny of each, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”
Lou Brissie
Brissie is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1947 to 1951 and the Cleveland Indians from 1951 to 1953. Lou attended Presbyterian College before enlisting in the U.S. Army in December 1942. In November 1944, Lou found himself in heavy fighting in Italy with the 88th Infantry Division (Blue Devils). On December 2, 1944, Lou’s unit suffered an artillery barrage, and a shell exploded which shattered his left tibia and shinbone in 30 pieces. Lou’s citations included the Purple Heart (with oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star Medal, ETO and American Campaign Medals.