On Veterans Day, we pause to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who served—offering gratitude and a heartfelt prayer for peace.
Remembering with Gratitude
November 11 invites us to pause — to remember those who have served and to reflect on the preciousness of peace.
In my own family, the story of service spans generations. My nana’s brother served in World War I and never returned home — a loss that left a quiet ache in our family story. My father and brother have both served, and now one of my own children serves on active duty.
So when I come to this day each year, gratitude comes easily — but so does prayer.
Gratitude for the Peace We Know
We often take for granted the simple gifts that peace allows — the rhythm of ordinary days, the ability to gather freely, the safety of home. But peace has a history, and it often comes at great cost.
Behind every story of service is a story of waiting, hoping, and enduring — by those who serve and those who love them. Their sacrifices remind us that peace is not passive or guaranteed; it’s something deeply sacred that requires courage and care to preserve.
Today, I give thanks for those who have carried the burden of service. For their strength, their discipline, and their willingness to protect what is good and true.
Prayer for the Peace We Long For
Even as we honor the peace we know, we can’t ignore the places — near and far — where peace still feels distant.
And so, this day also becomes a prayer:
May peace dwell within us,
May peace surround those who serve,
May peace comfort those who grieve,
May peace guide those who lead,
And may peace, one day, fill the whole earth.
The Everyday Call to Peace
While not everyone serves in uniform, each of us is invited to live peace — in our words, our homes, and our daily rhythms.
Peace begins in the small spaces:
- A calm response instead of a sharp one.
- A forgiving heart instead of a closed one.
- A willingness to listen, even when we disagree.
When we live from peace, we extend the legacy of those who have served and sacrificed — by carrying peace forward into our own generation.
Closing Reflection
Today I hold gratitude and hope together — thankful for those who have served, mindful of what peace costs, and prayerful for where it is still needed.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9
May we honor their service not only in remembrance, but also in how we live — with hearts that seek peace and hands that help it grow.
– Laura