A Collect for Memorial Day
O God of Heaven, hear our prayers and our lament.
Hear us O Lord.
For those who have fallen in uniform;
Lord hear our prayer.
For those who have lost their life in service to their cause;
Lord hear our prayer.
For those who have come home, crippled and maimed;
Lord hear our prayer.
For those who have suffered psychological trauma due to violence;
Lord hear our prayer.
When shall morning come?
We wait for the Lord.
Lord hear our prayers;
Hear our lament.
For the casualties of war, both sinner and sinless;
Christ have mercy.
For the widows and orphans;
Christ have mercy.
For the destruction of communities;
Christ have mercy.
You Lord, are our refuge.
We cry out to you, O Lord.
Lord hear our prayers;
Hear our lament.
Almighty God, we are guilty of heinous sins against your Holy Name. We have murdered our brethren, sought retribution, and more.
Have mercy, O Lord.
We have defiled your Sacraments, and have forgotten all love for our enemies. In our grief we have forsaken the way of the Cross.
Have mercy, O Lord.
Lord do not be angry with us, for we are heartily sorry for our actions against You.
Have mercy, O Lord.
+Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.