Dear Lord:

There’s a young man or woman far from home,

called to serve their nation in a time of  war;

Sent to defend our freedom

          on some distant foreign shore.

We pray you keep them safe,

          we pray you keep them strong.

We pray you send them safely home,

          for they’ve been away so long.

Bless those who await their safe return,

          and those who mourn the lost.

Bless those who serve this country well,

          No matter what the cost.

God, bless our American heroes.