Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares, a sculpture by Evgeniy Vuchetich in the United Nations Art Collection
Litany for Veterans
One: God of love, peace and justice, it is your will for the world that we may live together in peace. You have promised through the prophet Isaiah that one day the swords will be beaten into ploughshares. Yet we live in a broken world, and there are times that war seems inevitable. Let us recognize with humility and sadness the tragic loss of life that comes in war. Even so, as we gather here free from persecution, we may give thanks for those that have served with courage and honor.
Please Rise: Those that are in our presence that are either in active duty or reserve duty, and the fathers, mothers, siblings, spouses and grandparents of those that are currently serving.
All: God, we praise you for those that are willing to serve. Let all Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen serve with honor, pride, and compassion. Do not let their hearts be hardened by the actions they must take. Strengthen their families. Keep them surrounded in your love and peace.
Please Rise: Those that are in our presence that have served in the military in the past.
All: God, we praise you for those that have served in the military. We thank you for those that put the welfare of others ahead of their own safety. Let us all be inspired by their self-sacrifice in service to those who needed protection.
Please Rise: Those that are in our presence who have lost a loved one in war.
All: God, we praise you for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. We ask that you comfort those that still feel the pain of their loss. Keep us mindful that you have promised to comfort those that mourn.
Please Rise: Those who have gathered in your name in safety because of the sacrifices of others.
All: God, we praise you for granting us these freedoms. Let us honor those who have served by working for peace. Let us never forget those that have served, and let us never let go of your promise of peace.
I also wrote this short Memorial Day liturgy.
A reflection for Memorial Day. Sometimes “Thank you” seems inadequate.
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Thank you Robb. I plan to use this for Christ United Presbyterian in Marshall MN. Won’t print but will credit
Thank you. I’ve been looking for years for something this meaningful. Blessings on the journey. Will use at St. Paul’s UMC in Northport, NY this morning.
Celeste, Thanks for reading and for using. It is very humbling to think of this being used in other congregations.
Kristina, I’m glad that you found this helpful. I’ve used it in my congregations where a lot of older women had brothers or Dads that died in WWII, and I have seen them with tears in their eyes as they stood.
Hi Robb, Being retired military and planning a Veteran’s day service in a few weeks, someone sent me your litany. It is good but to be more accurate, it needs to be more inclusive. Example, Please rise for all enlisted. It should say serving; Officers are not enlisted. I was both. You also left out National Guard. They deploy too. All persons are not soldiers. A Marine would have an issue being called a soldier. Include Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and CoastGuardsMen in this order. This is the order of precedence for the Armed Forces.
Steven, Thank you. Thank you for your service, and thank you for helping me with these corrections. I certainly never intended offense. I hope with these edits, the litany will be more useful to people.
With your permission, we at First Baptist Church of Augusta (GA) would like to use this litany. Thank you for your consideration.
We will be using this on Veteran’s Day this year in our service at Camargo United Methodist Church. Thank you!
Thank you for your work, with permission, I would be honored to use this at the Parish of the Hills UMC’s in Wisconsin
Thank you Robb. With the helpful edit suggestions made by another, I shall use and attribute to you. A question though – not all who serve are men. What are women in the air force and coast guard called?
I wondered the same thing, so I did a little research. According to everything I found, there is no such distinction for gender. A few things I read made this very clear.
I’m gonna use it, Robb. Thank you for this wonderful resource.
Thank you for this beautiful litany. I do plan to use this and keep it in my resource files.
Thank you Robb for this resource. Printed with Credit in the Summerdale Pa United Methodist Church Bulletin 11-11-12
thank you for your generousity in sharing this litany, I plan on using it on Sunday at St. Paul’s UCC
pastor patti
Thank you for your litany that expresses much. I too plan to use this Sunday at Emanuel UCC.
Thank you, for this litany, Robb. I am a chaplain in the Army Reserve and interim priest serving Epiphany Episcopal Church in Vacaville, CA. We plan to use the litany this Sunday.
We shall use this litany with permision at Eagle Mountai United Methodist Church in Azle, TX as many in our congregation remember our commitments and sacrifices and those of our families during WW II. God bless you.
I’m really honored by so many that are going to use this litany in worship. Thanks for all the kind words, and may God bless you all!
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Thank you for this litany. I like how in the end we are all standing in honor of those who are or have served. I would like to use it at Gadsden CP Church this week.
Thank You. With your permission Friedens UCC in Slatington, PA will begin our time together honoring our veterans as we usually do with a small gift .and now we can properly say thanks and offer God’s blessings.
I appreciate it for composing “Veterans� Day |
The Fat Pastor”. I personallymay really be returning for alot more reading through and commenting in the
near future. Thanks, Eliza