The Prayer Room--11/09/14, 22nd Sunday After Pentecost.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I in 1914.  Four years later, on November 11, 1918, the Armistice at Compiègne went into effect at 11 AM, Paris time.  This signaled the end of the fighting in western Europe between Germany and the Allies, and for all intents and purposes was the end of first world war.  This day was later set aside, both by the USA and other countries, as a day to honor those who had served in the military.

As we come across Veteran's Day this year, 2014, the service and sacrifice of men and women in the armed forces is heavily on many of our minds.  The events that followed 9/11/01 shaped our country's history and spawned a new age of Veterans.  Instead of being a day when we often thought of World War II, Vietnam, or Korea, now we have young men and women who are returning from, and dying in, places like Iraq and Afghanistan.  Whether you agree with these wars or not, whether you agree with policies that helped bring them about or not, the uniform and the sacrifice of the American marine, soldier, sailor, airman, or coast guardsman should be revered and respected.  In the last year we've found out that not all of these men and women have been receiving the care that they should when they get home, and that should be something that all of our politicians should be desperate to fix.

So as we enter this week ahead, I invite you to join me in prayer for these men and women, and their families.  Let's not forget the sacrifice of those in the service now or those that came before.  I would like to mention both of my grandfathers, both long past from this earth:

Walter D. Carter, US Navy, World War II
Edward L. Moore, US Army, World War II

Also I'd like to mention some other friends and family who have served, or are currently serving:

Greg Pierce--US Navy, my uncle.
Jeff Newsom--US Air Force, Afghanistan.  Jeff was the best man at my wedding,
Greg Miller--US Army, Afghanistan.  The Millers are great friends of ours, and I remember Greg as just a little kid!  Here he is receiving the Purple Heart from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in 2011:

THANKSGIVINGS:

--That we live in a land where we are indeed free to practice our beliefs

--For the willingness of men and women to put their lives on the line for our country.

--For elections and the peaceful transition of power in our country.

CONCERNS AND PETITIONS:

--For veterans who are homeless or who otherwise are not receiving the kind of post action care that they need.

--For the families and loved ones of those who have been lost in recent military actions.

--For men and women in the American uniform still stationed throughout the world, many of whom will not spend the Holidays with their families and friends back home.