A prayer for Memorial Day, remembering those who have fought for our freedom by Debbie McDaniel.

Greater love has no one than this, that he laid down his life for his friends, John 15-13.

Freedom is a gift, it's a treasure, and though we all may agree on that truth, it's often easy to take for granted,

the greatest gifts that God has given us in our lives.

But those most precious gifts are never free. They come with a price, with sacrifice.

They are worth fighting for, and are still worth fighting for today.

Many brave men and women were willing to face hard battles in order for us to enjoy that gift of freedom today.

For all those who have protected our nation, for the men and women in uniform, together we say thank you.

We take time to remember today and say a prayer of gratefulness, for the many who have been willing to pay a great price for our freedom.

May God help us to live so courageously, may we follow the brave examples of those who have gone before us.

Thank you for reminding us that there's incredible love and sacrifice displayed when one is willing to stand strong and fight for freedom.

The service of love and sacrifice, on behalf of all people, points us directly to the greatest love of all, the very gift and sacrifice of Christ.

Our Savior was willing to pay the ultimate price so that we can live free forever.

Let's pray.

Dear God, we thank you for the freedom you have given us and for the price that was paid by Christ so that we could live free.

We remember today the cost of it all, the great sacrifice for freedom.

We thank you for the brave men and women who have fought and continued to fight so courageously for our nation.

We ask you for your covering and blessing over them and their families.

We pray that you would be gracious and encircle them with your peace.

We pray for your great favor and goodness to be evident in their lives.

Please be with all those who wear the uniform, who serve our communities and nation every single day.

We ask that you provide your protection, that you would be their guiding force who leads the way and their rear guard who keeps them safe from behind.

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