10 Best Pray For The Fallen Soldiers for you. Prayers for happy Memorial Day services may consist of time-honored scriptures accompanied by spontaneous words. Recite one of these prayer examples as written or alter it as needed to make it work for you.
Happy Memorial Day Date 2024 USA
Many Americans include Memorial Day prayers For The Fallen Soldiers they hold to express gratitude and show respect for those who served in the armed forces. The eight prayer examples offered here can help anyone put together a moving memorial service to honor fallen heroes.
1.“For those who have died on active service” from The Church of England
“For those who have died on active service
O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those men and women
who have died in active service…”
Believers of this Christian faith can look to this prayer as solace, as well as a kind remembrance and sincere request for mercy for those who have died in service of their countries.
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“An Old Soldier’s Prayer” by Lewis Millett
“I have fought when others feared to serve.
I have gone where others failed to go.
I’ve lost friends in war and strife,
Who valued Duty more than love of life….
I’ve seen challenged men become even bolder,
I’ve seen the Duty, Honor, Sacrifice of the Soldier.
Now I understand the meaning of our lives,
The loss of comrades not so very long ago.
So to you who have answered duties siren call,
May God bless you my son, may God bless you all.”
Soldiers who are on duty and called to serve can hold a rare spot of courage and bravery in our hearts, especially if they are asked to go on repeat tours.
Millett’s non-denominational prayer focuses on the meaning and understanding that comes from experiencing war, and soldiers may find comfort on Memorial Day in remembering these things they’ve seen and how they put their memories in context.
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“Prayer of Good Over Evil, Light Over Dark” from Hinduism
“Fill the Heart with the oil of love.
Place in it the wick of single-pointed mind.
Light it with the Knowledge of Truth and remove
the darkness of ignorance around you.
Just as one lamp can light many lamps; let each
youth kindle this Light in many hearts.”
Many members of the military start off young, looking to follow what they consider to be the right path to protect their country. This prayer is a useful one for wisdom on any subject, but particularly when we are mourning the loss of someone in the military or are wondering how our loved ones may be doing while on duty.
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“Antim Ardas Ceremony” from Sikhism
“Death is pre-ordained – no one who comes can remain here.”
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib, or the main piece of religious scripture in Sikhism, offers up this line as part of the “Antim Ardas Ceremony.”
This ceremonial prayer can be a helpful reminder that death is a natural process. It can also be a salient reminder that a wider universe is out there when considering one’s own pain and grief on Memorial Day Prayer.
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“Dua for Closing the Eyes of the Dead” from Islam
“O Allah, forgive [name of the person] and elevate his station among those who are guided. Send him along the path of those who came before, and forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds. Enlarge for him his grave and shed light upon him in it.”
This Islamic prayer upon the burial of a loved one can be particularly helpful for those who were engaged in selfless actions in the military upon their death.
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“Traditional Buddhist Prayer” from Buddhism
“May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness;
May all be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow;
May all never be separated from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless;
And may all live in equanimity, without too much attachment and too much aversion,
And live believing in the equality of all that lives.”
This beautiful prayer can bring comfort to those who are missing someone they love on Memorial Day, and it can be a powerful reminder to treat all people with respect and kindness, no matter the injuries or conflicts of the past.
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An Untitled Non-Denominational Prayer
“Relive the sufferings of the innocent victims of war;
grant them peace of mind, healing of body,
and a renewed faith in your protection and care.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.”
Memorial Day is also important to keep in mind not only of the sacrifices that service members have made, but also the innocent whose lives were also lost during war. Offering up a prayer for everyone who has been visited by war can also help on a day like Memorial Day.
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“Let Us Be United” from the Rig Veda of Hinduism
“…Let us speak in harmony;
Let our minds apprehend alike.
Common be our prayer,
Common be the end of our assembly;
Common be our resolution;
Common be our deliberations.
Alike be our feelings;
Unified be our hearts;
Common be our intentions;
Perfect be our unity.”
When a loved one dies in service of our country, it may be hard to process as we try to imagine their last thoughts. This Hindu prayer can be unifying in a time of sadness, and can be used in a military funeral, to remind everyone that we all seek peace and unity.
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“Untitled Prayer for Parents in Military Service”
“Loving God
you watch over each and every one of your children
Hear my prayer for my father/mother
Be his/her constant companion.
Protect him/her no matter where he/she goes,
and bring him/her safely and quickly home to those who love him/her.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.”
On Memorial Day, it’s even more present to children that their families are away at war. This comforting prayer would help a child feel hopeful about a parent’s return.
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“Untitled Prayer for In-Service Soldiers”
“Dear Lord Jesus and Mary, Mother of God,
Hold all these brave souls in the palm of your hand, comfort them and their families.
Send angels of protection, love, and comfort to all the servicemen and women still at war,
bring them home safely and comfort their families.”
If you have a friend or family member who is a military spouse with a partner on duty, consider sharing this Catholic prayer with them. On Memorial Day we not only remember those who have died, but also those who continue to serve and the families they have waiting for them.
