A Prayer For Remembrance Day For All Who Gave Up Sons and Daughters

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Today we remember blood that was spilled on battlefields around the world by brave men and women who gave their lives for the cause of freedom and justice.  As we noted yesterday, Remembrance Day ceremonies are very different this year from every other year.  Usually our hearts are touched as we watch young faces on parade honouring the old veterans.  We see the memories etched in the veterans’ faces and can only imagine the stories they will never forget.  We don’t have those memories in our hearts, so we need to hear stories and look at symbols that help us pay attention and remember. Poppies, moments of silence, and ceremonies at cenotaphs around the country all help us reflect and remember. 

One of the lovely traditions here in Canada is that every year one mother of a fallen veteran is named the National Silver Cross Mother.  This year it is Mrs. Debbie Sullivan.  Mrs. Sullivan's son, LT(N) Christopher Edward Saunders was a Naval Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. Chris was killed during a tragic fire while serving aboard HMCS Chicoutimi on October 6, 2004.

As the National Silver Cross Mother, Mrs. Sullivan places a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military service of Canada. Throughout the year until October, 2021, she will also be called upon to perform other duties honouring the Fallen from all conflicts.

The loss of Mrs. Sullivan’s son reminded me of these precious truths about God giving up His son for us: 

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.  Romans 8:31-34

Let’s give thanks for this great gift today.

For all of time and eternity, God, our destiny is changed because You gave up Your son for us.  The evil one cannot accuse us when we stand forgiven by the Lord Jesus.  We can’t begin to imagine what was in Your heart as Jesus hung on the cross and as You turned away from sin You heard him say, “My god, my god, why have you forsaken me?”  Every parent’s worst suffering is the suffering of their child.  You gave the greatest for us when You gave Jesus.

We’re so grateful for the reality contained in these familiar words:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  John 3:16-17

We pray in gratitude for all the benefits we have received because You sent Your son into the world for us.  All sorts of forces rise up and all sorts of injustices are inflicted upon people with guns and swords.  You gave Your son for the ultimate victory of justice over injustice and peace for everyone who would receive it.

Lord, on this Remembrance Day 2020 we pray for all the parents who grieve the loss of a son or daughter because of war.  Comfort and strengthen them we pray.  And then we simply give thanks to You for the Son you gave up and suffering endured so we could experience mercy and grace.  Amen