Page 246 - Stand Down Vietnam

PRAYER FOR THE WARRIOR'S RETURN

22 OCTOBER 2012
The Rev. Chris J. Antal

I wrote this prayer sitting in a military chapel in Afghanistan. The prayer
was inspired by my encounter with a service-member I met. She was on her way
home after a difficult tour as the lead officer on a joint theater trauma
team. Among the experiences, she shared with me was the memory of five Afghan
children who were burned and blinded by an improvised explosive
device. After I wrote this prayer, I sent it to her. My hope is that these
words may help her, and others, progress along the journey home.

Oh Gracious God,
Spirit of Life,
Source of Love
What has become of me -- I am broken!
Deliver me from the dread of memory,
hatred, cruelty, and revenge,
meaningless loss,
and betrayal of trust.
Lift me from distressing dreams,
regrets, doubts, speculations,
the violence that fills my eyes and scars my soul,
and questions that have no answer.
Grant me courage
to feel my pain and grieve my loss,
and serenity to accept that the past is done;
I will never return to my old self.
Still, let gladness, faith, and hope return to me,
and let me remember the love for me that endures
even when I cannot love myself,
and even when I cannot love you.
Help me to lay my burdens
into your compassionate and forgiving hands,
and open my heart to see goodness and feel joy,
wherever it is to be found.
Guide me from isolation to beloved community,
where my anguish can be heard and felt,
where trust and wholeness can be restored,
where I may carry this new identity -- this sacred wound -- with
honor.
Strengthen me in the ways of the Warrior,
the ways of justice, kindness, and humility,
so that, knowing death, I may more fully live,
with gratitude for each moment, and reverence for life.

Amen