“Freedom has never been free. The price of freedom has always been the blood of the warrior.”
Wayne Williams is a dear friend. He and I serve together on the Elder Board at Fellowship Bible Church. Wayne is also a retired Naval aviator. On this Memorial Day weekend, he was asked to pray for our country and those who have faithfully served in our armed forces.
I though his prayer was so beautiful that I recorded it the following service. The following is a transcription of that prayer which I think every American needs to read:
“Heavenly Father we just pause once again this Memorial Day to honor those who have given their lives in service to America. John 15:13 says, ‘Greater love has no man than this than man who lays his life down for his friends.’
From Concord to Yorktown, Pearl Harbor to D-Day, DMZ to Saigon, Hanoi, Kosovo to Kuwait, Afghanistan to Iraq. Countless number of our fellow citizen warriors have given the ultimate sacrifice in the mission of peace and the defense of our freedom.
Oh, Father help us to remember them well. May we be a nation that expresses our gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Cause us to live in a way that pays tribute to not only them but also their loved ones. Father I ask that you would continue to comfort the families of our fallen soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
Your word Father in Micah 6:8 tells us how we should live. Heavenly Father, make us a people, make us a nation who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Father may we never take for granted the gift of life and our freedoms as Americans.
For we know freedom has never been free. The price of freedom has always been the blood of the warrior.
So Father I now ask that You would watch over and protect our service members, especially those in harm’s way. Bring them home safely to their loved ones. But more importantly Father, for those that don’t know You, draw them to Yourself. Make Yourself known to them that they may experience the ultimate freedom. The saving faith of Your Son Jesus.
For Father it’s in His matchless name we pray, Amen.”
Thank you Wayne. No one ever said it better. What are your thoughts this Memorial Day weekend?
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