Sallie Dawkins

Memorial Day is a day to honor U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Yet, this morning, I believe it’s also on God’s heart to acknowledge and honor the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, who have gone before us in service to God’s army.


 

The Lord extends an invitation for wounded warriors and those who have grown battle-weary from the last season to lay their burdens down at the altar of God. The Captain of our salvation is on the scene, and victory belongs to the Lord.
 

There is freedom for the captives and those held hostage by their beliefs and ways of this world. We are not prisoners of war. Psalm 107:14 says, “His light broke through the darkness, and He led us out in freedom from death’s dark shadow and snapped every one of our chains.” Verse 16 says, “For He smashed through heavy prison doors and shattered the steel bars that held us back, just to set us free!” (TPT)
 

Therefore, we pray:

Lord, forgive us for every action, thought, and word of treason against You and Your Kingdom. Your kindness draws us into the glory of Your presence. Purify is in the fire of Your love.
 

Lord, we thank You for the generations of those who have faithfully served in Your army and have gone before us to clear the path. Holy Spirit, strengthen us to carry the baton passed along to us and fortify our frame to run swiftly and finish the race You have set before us. Open the ears of our hearts to hear Your directions and corrections. Fill us with courage and obedience.
 

Lord, we fasten our trust to You alone. This past season has been to teach us to bend, not break. You filter everything through Your mighty hand. None of it has escaped Your notice. So we rise now as a united army. We are not defeated. There is no lack. We wield Your words as swords and fight the good fight of faith.
 

Lord, we honor You and thank You for the many watchmen and warriors who have gone before us. We declare now, Lord, that we are not battle-weary but battle-ready. We are fortified by the truth of Your word and physically fit to fulfill the destiny You have prepared for us. We desire the fullness of salvation--to be saved, healed, and delivered to the uttermost.
 

Lamb of God, we praise You both now and for eternity. It’s in the mighty Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.