Praying for Those Who Serve

To correspond to the Forth of July, my home congregation observed Armed Forces Sunday on July 1.  The hymn mentioned in this bulletin insert is rather appropriate not only for those in our armed forces, but also for those who protect us here at home, such as firefighters and police officers.  The line "from rock and tempest, fire and foe" is especially appropriate as we think of those fighting fires in Colorado and the surrounding states.

 

From the July 1st bulletin:

 

Armed Forces Sunday:

A Prayer for Their Safety Through Song 

   Today, as we approach the celebration of our country’s independence, we remember those who have fought and continue to fight for the safety of our nation.  Our closing hymn for today is the Navy hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save (LSB 717).  The armed forces, whether it be “from rock and tempest, fire and foe” (stanza 4) have sacrificed much, both at home and abroad.  As we sing this hymn in prayer, we sing with the psalmist, asking God the Father, who created the sea and set limits upon it (Ps. 104:6-9; also Gen. 1:9-10), “to hear us when we cry to Thee” (stanza 1; Ps. 141:1) for those serving our country.  We ask Christ to “protect them by Thy guarding hand” (stanza 2; Ps. 140:4).  We pray that the Holy Spirit would “keep them by Thy watchful care” (stanza 3; Ps. 139:7-10).  So wherever those who seek to protect our nation serve, whether by “air and land and sea” (stanza 4), we pray that the triune God “protect them wheresoe’er they go” (stanza 4;  Ps. 121:7-8).

-Kristen

"Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples

with equity and guide the nations upon earth."

Ps. 67:3-4