Prayer During War.
O Lord God, who art righteous in Thy judgment, and plenteous in mercy,
whose faithfulness endureth from generation to generation, who rulest
even above the din of war: may all nations learn to know that Thou alone
art God, that Jesus Christ is Thy Son, and that all who truly confess Thy
name are the people of Thy pasture and the sheep of Thy hand. Thou hast
permitted the nations to rise up in war against each other and our own
beloved country to become engulfed in its throes. O Lord God, our Father,
we know that war is a punishment for sin and that we, too, have justly
merited Thy punishment through our sins. Therefore we humbly confess our
sins, and supplicate Thy pity and compassion, lay not our iniquities
against us, but graciously forgive us our sins and shortcomings for the
sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Thy fatherly goodness and care we
commend our people, and especially our soldiers and sailors now in the
service of their country. They are absent from their loved ones, beset by
dangers on all sides. Be Thou ever near. Keep them from all evil. O Thou,
without whose consent not even a sparrow falleth to the ground and who
hast numbered the very hairs of our heads, take them under the shadow of
Thy wings. Give them courage and obedience, fortitude and valor in the
hour of danger, and compassion and mercy in the flush of victory. Prosper
their arms to the establishment of justice, peace, and truth among all
peoples. Lead them safely back to their homes and their loved ones,
better citizens, better Christians than before. And to Thy holy name be
glory, laud, and honor, world without end. Amen.
Prayer for the Army and Navy.
Almighty and Eternal God, Thou King of kings and Lord of lords, who
rulest and governest all things in heaven and earth: we beseech Thine
infinite mercy to bless the officers and men of our army and navy.
Preserve them against all dangers and temptations which may assail their
lives. Help them manfully to battle against and overcome the powers of
evil, the world, the devil, and the flesh. May they ever be filled with
Thy Holy Spirit from on high, and in courage, manliness, and truthfulness
prevail in the hour of danger and when the battle rages. May they ever
look to Thee, who art the succorer of those in peril, as to their only
helper, and in Thy name fight a holy fight to maintain the country's
honor and keep the flag unsullied, that truth and righteousness may
prevail. Put to naught all evil designs and devices of their enemies,
both spiritual and temporal. Guide Thou and direct them that they may
ever fight the good fight of faith and in the end overcome and attain to
their soul's salvation, to the glory of Thy holy Name; through Jesus
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer on the Eve of Battle.
O Lord God of hosts, Thou the Highest of the high and the Holiest of the
holy, who rulest and shapest all things to the glory of Thy name and the
betterment of Thy people: we humbly beseech Thine infinite mercy in this
hour of our peril, judge Thou between us and our enemies. Be Thou our
sure defense. Stir up Thy might and hasten to our help. Lay not our sins
to our charge, but for the sake of Thy dear Son, our only Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, manifest Thy mercy toward us and blot out our
iniquities, and sanctify and guide us by Thy truth. We Thy poor servants
call upon Thy holy name, and implore Thy grace. Have mercy upon us. Lead
us safely through the blood and carnage. Make it appear that Thou art our
deliverer. Make us strong with the assurance that it is Thy cause, that
we are Thy children, that Thou holdest our destiny in Thy hand. And if it
is Thy will that we should lay down our lives--Thy will be done! Help us
then that our last day on this earth may be the first in Thy paradise.
Bless our loved ones at home, and comfort them with the hopeful
assurances of Thy word. May they and all of us rightfully know and
appreciate, whether we live, we live unto the Lord. And whether we die,
we die unto the Lord. Therefore whether we live or die we are the Lord's.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Wounded.
Lord God, our Heavenly Father! We implore Thy eternal compassion for all
who are this day wounded, suffering, or dying. Be Thou nigh unto them in
their affliction. Comfort them with Thy grace and with the hopeful
assurance, that, though kindred and friends be far away, Thou art ever
present and hearest even the faintest sight of all who seek Thy succor.
If it be Thy pleasure, restore to them their former health and vigor.
Help them to bear their pains without murmuring against Thy grace. Give
them patience and strength and faith in Thee. May they rest assured, that
Thou wilt never leave nor forsake them. Deliver them from the assaults of
the enemies of their souls. O God and Father in heaven, bless them and
all of us, and may we ever seek those things that are acceptable to Thy
sight. Forgive us our sins, not because of any merit or worthiness in us,
but solely because Thou art merciful for Christ's sake. And to Thee, the
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be glory and honor forever. Amen.
Prayers for the Dying.
(St. Paul's Prayer)
"The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up
for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: not to me only, but to all of them also that
love His appearing." 2 Tim. 4:6-8.
* * *
O Lord, on Thy cross Thou didst cry, "Father, into Thy hands I commend My
Spirit!" I, too, commend my spirit into Thy hands now when my end is
near. Thou hast redeemed me, O faithful God. Amen.
* * *
Lord Almighty God, Heavenly Father! My time has come to an end, my life
is slowly ebbing away. Be Thou with me. O Lord, I suffer much and Thou
only canst help me. Be Thou my succor, and shorten and soften my pain.
Darkness comes over me and I cry for comfort and strength. Have mercy
upon me. Take my soul under Thy protecting wing, that I perish not. Take
my sins from me, and blot all my guilt; for Christ's sake, my Savior and
my Lord. Amen.
Abide with me! fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens: Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies:
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee:
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!