Memorial Day Prayer

Here is the prayer I will use Monday at the Memorial Day "event" at the local cemetery. It is a "tweaked" version of a prayer for Armed Forces Sunday from the LCMS Commission on Worship:

With grateful hearts on this Memorial Day, we thank you, Lord, for the men and women who gave their lives in service of our country. They died honorably, protecting the life and liberty of so many others. Lord, make us appreciative of the blessings we enjoy as Americans, and of the lives which were given that we might live in peace in this land.
Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

Our Lord Jesus once said, “Greater love has no man than that he lay down his life for his friends”. May we seen in the soldier who lays down his life in battle, a reminder of our Savior who laid down his life at the cross.
Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We also thank you this day for our men and women in uniform who so selflessly serve God and country. Be with them deployed overseas, in armed conflict or wherever their duties carry them. Grant them courage in battle, compassion on the wounded, and strength in your grace to endure unto victory. Be with the family of each serviceman
or woman who anxiously awaits their return, with the promise that you are with us even unto the end of the world.
Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray for all who are in positions of leadership and great responsibility governing over the affairs of our nation. Grant them wisdom from above as they seek to administer justice and mercy rightfully in the sacred halls of government. Grant us your grace as a nation to be a beacon of hope and to establish a just and noble relationship with all other nations in the world.
Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

Heavenly Father, how can we ever thank you enough for your enduring grace that sustains our life in trouble, comforts our souls in distress and shelters us from disaster. Through the presence of your Son Jesus, our resurrected Lord and savior, we remain strong, and through your Word we will endure unto the end. In a world filled with conflicts and wars, He alone is our source of true and lasting peace.
Lord, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

Hear now our petitions and receive now our thanks, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.