Remembering Together
Heavenly Father,
On this solemn and sacred Memorial Day, we bow before You with hearts both heavy and hopeful. We come together as a community of students, staff, alumni, and friends of Grace Christian University, to remember. To reflect, and to give thanks.
We remember those who gave everything so that others might live in freedom. The brave men and women of the armed forces, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, neighbors, who laid down their lives in service to our nation. Some left home and never returned. Others served in silence, carrying the weight of sacrifice long after the battle ended. All bore witness to something greater than themselves: duty, honor, and the defense of liberty.
Today, we say their names not aloud, but in the quiet places of our hearts. You, God, know every name. Your Word tells us that no sparrow falls to the ground outside of Your care (Matthew 10:29). We believe that no act of service done in love is ever lost in the eyes of Heaven. Comfort the families still mourning. Strengthen the veterans still healing. Be near to all who grieve.
Honoring True Greatness
Father,
While our world often glorifies power and position, we pause today to honor a different kind of greatness. This greatness is born of selflessness. It is shaped in hardship. It quietly kneels in prayer before it ever marches into battle. Thank You for these examples of courage, both seen and unseen.
A Call to Live with Purpose
And yet, Lord,
We are also aware that remembrance without resolve is incomplete. You call us not only to honor the fallen but to live in a way that gives meaning to their sacrifice. You have placed us here, in this time and place, not simply to observe, but to serve, in our classrooms, in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and yes, even in our civic duties.
Help us not to take lightly the freedoms we’ve inherited. Let us steward them well, with wisdom and with grace. Your Word reminds us in Galatians 5:13, “You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Becoming Courageous Ambassadors
May we
Be a community known for our love, love that bears burdens, speaks truth, and serves faithfully. We pray for our students, that they would understand that Memorial Day is not merely about history, but about calling. It is a reminder that we, too, are to be ambassadors, courageous ambassadors for Christ, who are willing to lay down comfort, convenience, and even popularity to uphold truth.
Let their lives reflect the very values our fallen heroes died to protect: faith, honor, integrity, and sacrifice.
Praying for Our Leaders
We pray for our leaders
On campus, in our churches, in our local communities, and across our nation. May they be guided not by public opinion, but by Your truth. Give them the courage to lead in righteousness and the humility to serve with compassion.
Seeking Unity in a Divided World
We pray for our nation.
There is deep division, and it can be tempting to disengage. You have not called us to indifference. You have called us to be salt and light. May the men and women of Grace Christian University, both past and present, be known as people who pursue peace, speak with conviction, and love with the kind of radical, unshakable love that reflects Christ.
Living for the Eternal
And Lord,
Even as we remember our earthly citizens who fought for liberty, we are reminded that our ultimate citizenship is in Heaven. Though we live in a fallen world, we serve a risen King. Elections, wars, and worldly confusion do not shake You. Your reign is sovereign. Your redemption is sure. And the call remains, live with eternal perspective.
So today, we honor the fallen, we comfort the grieving, we encourage the faithful, and we recommit ourselves to Your work in this world.
Let Grace Christian University be a place where honor is not reserved for one day a year, but is lived out every day, where young men and women are trained to live purposefully, speak boldly, and serve humbly in Your name.
With Gratitude
Thank You for the freedom
We enjoy, and for those who defend it. Thank You for the greatest freedom we have in Christ Jesus, who laid down His life not for a country, but for all humanity.
And thank You, Lord, that even in our grief, we do not mourn as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13), for we know the victory has already been won.
In the name of the One who conquered sin and death, our Savior, our Redeemer, we pray,
Amen.
