Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

I have the dubious priviledge of meeting the first plane of the new year. It arrives late tonight and carries three of our fallen heroes. Though I cannot reveal details you can find their names and some personal detail on the public web site . I post here the prayer written for them and which I will pray over them later tonight.

Father, we honor this moment as a formal commemoration and welcome home for name, name, name who died fighting to protect the dignity and freedom of humanity and to provide liberty and national security for Iraq.

As we remember these departed patriots our minds are full of pride, our spirits moved at the fragility of human life and our souls mindful of our dependence on your guardianship.

Faced with such sacrifice we seek to be courageous protectors of freedom and examples of selfless love; true soldiers and airmen in peace as well as in war.

Now, in your mercy, have compassion on their loved ones. Grant healing and meaning in a new year begun in darkness and marked by loss. We pray that pride will overshadow sorrow, hope defeat despair and love fill the emptiness. Fulfill Your promise O God: “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”

Amen