VETERANS DAY PRAYER

 By Rocky Provencher (Nov 2023)

Rocky Provencher was born and raised in Lowell. He attended city schools from the Lowell Day Nursery through Lowell Technological Institute (now UMass Lowell). He spent his career working in Lowell’s mills and was a long time Lowell Folk Festival volunteer. He recently shared this prayer which he has recited at recent Veterans Day events.

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On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month—- Let us pray:

Dear Lord, we pray today for all those who have served in our nation’s armed forces. We thank you for their courage, their sacrifice, and their willingness to put their lives on the line for our freedom.

We pray for those who have returned from war both physically and emotionally wounded. We ask that you please heal their bodies and their minds, and give them the strength to rebuild their lives.

We pray for the families of those who have served, especially those who have lost loved ones. Please comfort them in their grief and give them the courage to carry on.

We pray for those who continue to serve today, both at home and abroad. Please protect them from harm and bring them home safely.

We pray for ourselves to never forget the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. May we always be grateful for those who have served.

And please, dear God, show us how to build a more just and peaceful world.

Amen.