Memorial Day: Not Simply Another Day Off

Dear Pali Pres,

Memorial Day Weekend is a great time to spend one less day at the office and one more day with friends and family members, enjoying the warm (hopefully) spring weather. However, as we all know, this holiday weekend is about so much more than just extra time to relax and enjoy ourselves. Memorial Day is an important day for all of us to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice made by so many on our behalf.

Every Memorial Day weekend I say a little prayer of thanks for my grandfather, Hiram Hardin. Grandpa Hardin served his entire life in the U.S. Army, ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. I did not know my grandpa all that well (he passed away when I was very young), but I often think of him—especially on this holiday weekend—and feel a deep sense of gratitude and respect for him and all who served our nation.

While we continue to pray for that great day to come when God’s peace rules over earth as it does in heaven, that day when we as human beings have learned to live in harmony and no longer resort to violent conflict, we remain indebted to those who serve and pay the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. With that in mind, I share with all of you the following prayer for Memorial Day (written by Martha Langford at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago):

Sovereign God, you rule the nations. On this Memorial Day weekend, as we honor those who have answered our nation’s call, we remember the men and women of our military who have given that last full ounce of devotion. Comfort those who grieve for them. Guard those who still risk their lives in places across the face of the globe. Be with those who remain behind; ease their anxieties and calm their hearts. Grant our nation and all nations the strength of will to seek peace, so that one day we may plow up the battlefields and pound weapons of war into farm implements and building tools (Isaiah 2:4).

Grace and peace,

Pastor Matt