Blessing of those leaving for military service
The farewell and blessing may be used before the final blessing. Those leaving for military service and their families may come forward. The pastor or a representative of the congregation may make brief comments about those who are leaving.
Let us pray.
Gracious God,
your blessings reach to the ends of the earth.
We give thanks that you have united us forever
through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
pour out your abundant blessing upon name/s.
As he/she/they leave/s now to serve his/her/their country,
surround him/her/them with your love,
keep him/her/them from all harm,
and fill him/her/them with your Word,
that him/her/them may walk in your ways,
always knowing what is right and good.
Comfort all of us with the knowledge
that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us
from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen
The minister continues with the blessing of the congregation.
Permission is granted for congregations to reproduce the blessing of those leaving for military service provided that no part of the reproduction is for sale, copies are for local use only, and the following copyright notices appear: Copyright © 2003 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.