Let Us Unite
Let us unite in imploring the Supreme Ruler of Nations to spread His holy protection over these United States to turn the machinations of the wicked, to the confirming of our Constitution; to enable us at all times to root out internal sedition and put invasion to flight; to perpetuate to our country that prosperity which His goodness has already conferred; and to verify the anticipations for this government begin a safeguard of human rights. Amen.
George Washington
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Prayer Book 1944
Remembering Our Fallen
“ALMIGHTY God, the Saviour of all men, we humbly commend to thy tender care and sure protection, these thy servants who have come forth at the call of their country, to defend its government and to protect its people in their property and homes. Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, be over us; let thy Holy Spirit be with us; let thy good Angels have charge of us; with thy loving kindness defend us as with a shield, and either bring us out of our peril in safety, with a heart to show forth thy praises for ever, or else sustain us with that glorious hope, by which alone thy servants can have victory in suffering and death; through the sole merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Soldier’s Prayer Book 1861
The vigilant, the active, the brave
We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature has place in our power… The battle, sir is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. – Patrick Henry
In the picture:
The Patrick Henry base is also sometimes known as Patrick Henry Villages, short for PHV. The base is located in the city of Heidelbergin the south west ofGermany. The base was completed in 1947 after World War II and it was named after the Governor of Virginia. The base is designed to facilitate troops and workers living with their families.
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.