The Rev. Dr. Margaret Kibben offers up a prayer honoring the nation’s veterans

Kibben, a Presbyterian and the Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, thanks God ‘for all who have served wearing the cloth of our nation’

by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service

In 2018, Rear Admiral the Rev. Dr.  Margaret Kibben addressed the 223rd General Assembly. (Photo by Danny Bolin)

LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Dr. Margaret Kibben, a PC(USA) pastor and retired rear admiral who’s been serving nearly four years as Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, prayed in the House Chamber Friday for the nation’s nearly 18 million veterans. Watch her prayer here courtesy of C-SPAN.

Here is Kibben’s prayer:

“For those who have gone down to the sea in ships, who have battled enemies in desert wastelands and darkened forests, who have flown the vast skies above the Earth — for all who have served wearing the cloth of our nation, we give you thanks.

“Many of these cried out to you when they were in trouble, counted the stars in the sky when standing the night watch, their fingers hovering over triggers, praying that no adversary would appear in their scopes, and you, O Lord, delivered them, and led them out of peril.

“You stilled the storms to a whisper. The waves of the sea were hushed. The warfare grew calm, and you guided them to their desired haven. You gathered them from the corners of the Earth, from east and west, from north and south. You sent out your word and healed them.

“We give you thanks, O Lord, for your unfailing love, and ask your continued favor on the veterans who have stood and still stand the watch to preserve our freedoms.

“In the strength of your word, we stand in the face of all danger, and in your eternal name we pray. Amen.”