A peek inside this post: Looking for a Veterans Day devotion? Try our printable devotion for Veterans Day, entitled “Called to Freedom.” This devo does a great job of honoring our military members while focusing on our true freedom– that which was won by Christ, through His sacrifice. Whether you want to do a family devo for Veterans Day, with some friends or support group, or even just by yourself, you’ll love the reverence this devotion pays to our servicemen and our Savior.
This year, I became an Army mom. I wear the “Army Mom” shirt and have the magnet on the back of my car. I also have the words, “Proud Army Mom” on my phone case. I have always held a deep reverence and awe for the country I was able to grow up in.
This year with Veterans Day approaching, it feels different. My son is still in training but he has made it through basic and is officially an American Soldier.
I can’t imagine sending him off to war, or even deployment, but I do know that would only make my love and support of him grow exponentially. So, with this in mind, I had to take time to write a devotional to remember and support our veterans, while we honor the One who truly sets us free.
Veterans Day is not just a day off of work or school. It isn’t just a day in November that the post office takes the day off. It is to honor all the men and women who have ever served in any branch of military during any time in history.
If you think of it, pray for us military mamas, and pray for our babies who are currently becoming men in the armed forces. Spend this week honoring and remembering the men and women who bravely served, and worshiping the God who gives us true freedom and peace.
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Here are some links for the Proud Army moms in your life if she wants to match. I love to match and wear my pride for him for all to see!
How to use this Devotional for Veterans Day
This Veterans Day devotion can be used alone, with your family, for a bible study or small group. Maybe you have friends who are military parents– complete this together!
It would also be a great way to connect with your long-distance soldier. Send him or her a copy and discuss it together when you can!
We also want to encourage you to use this devotional with your school-aged kids. Help them know the importance and reverence for Veterans Day, whether they get the day off school or hold an assembly for local heroes. The freedom we have been given through Christ’s sacrifice, and remembering to honor our vets on this special day, are wonderful things we can teach our children.
For your convenience, we have put this devotion in an easy to use PDF format. You can access it digitally on this page, or print it out for a hard copy with beautiful graphics.
Jump to download our Printable Veterans Day Devo
5- Day Veterans Day Devotion
Day 1
“Pay to all what is owed to them…respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed…” (Romans 13:7)
The dictionary’s definition of Veterans Day is: a public holiday held on the anniversary of the end of World War I (November 11) to honor US veterans and victims of all wars. It replaced Armistice Day in 1954.
President Woodrow Wilson described it like this:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”
President Woodrow Wilson
When we think about those words in light of our faith in Jesus, we have an opportunity to go deeper and truly understand the words, “freed us, peace, and justice.” We are aware that those things come at a cost.
In order to have freedom, justice, and peace, we have to have a God that provided the way through His son. We are so blessed to have a Savior who gives us this daily through faith in His son.
We are also so blessed to live in a country where young men and women sign up to defend freedom, peace, and justice. As we take time this week to slow down and “respect those who are owed respect, and honor those whom honor is owed,” let us remember the One who made it all possible by creating freedom, peace and justice through His divine plan.
Also, let us be reminded to take time to thank a Veteran for the sacrifice they made and the willingness to help us continue in freedom, peace, and justice.
Pray this with me:
Lord,
We take time today to lift up our brothers and sisters who have signed up to follow in your footsteps, and have a willingness to lay down their lives. What a huge sacrifice. You have blessed us with a plan to have freedom, justice, and peace.
We pray for those who have seen the battle for this lived out in front of them. Today we honor the battles they have fought, and the ones they continue to fight.
Bring true freedom, justice, and peace to each one of us by reminding us of the Victory we are guaranteed in Christ.
Amen.
Day 2
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
As a little girl, I remember being at a parade and watching military veterans fire off a 21-gun salute to recognize their friends who had lost their lives in the service. I can still see the men with their hats naming which war they fought in, and the colorful badges that adorned their chests.
Those men stood there bravely representing the red, white, and blue flag they held, just like they did years ago when they were active duty soldiers and sailors.
Even as a little girl, I remember the emotion of the moment and holding back tears. Something in my heart knew that as they were being celebrated for their service, they knew that they were beyond blessed by the ones who served by their sides and laid down their lives in battle.
Those men might have some insight into just how amazing the love of Christ is when He, in His perfection, laid down His life for each one of us.
Today we honor the men who serve, and have served. We honor the ones who signed up to be willing to lay down their lives for their country, and we especially honor the God who gave us the greatest example through His son, Jesus Christ.
Pray this with me:
Dear Lord,
Help us to honor you today and thank you for the sacrifice you made so we can be saved. Give us the reminder to continually pray for the amazing men and women who sign up to lay down their lives for each one of us and our freedom.
We pray that you will keep the current soldiers safe, and bless the veterans with peace and joy because of their willingness to be like you.
Amen.
Day 3
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”
– Cynthia Ozick
Not too long ago I read this quote and it hit so hard. To sit here and think about the freedom that we have as Americans, and even more importantly, as Christians, blows me away.
We all know the old adage that freedom isn’t free. So, how can we take time out of our day to have gratitude for the brave soldiers and sailors who paved the way to freedom?
We can live out of the freedom we have been given and not stay stuck in the things that burden us and hold us down.
As a civilian, I am unaware of all that goes into a battle, but I do know that if I win a battle, I don’t want to go back and keep fighting the same battle over and over again.
In any war, when we win freedom, we are set free. Now, the best way to honor the soldiers in our life is to live out the freedom that they have defended and won.
Just like the way we can honor our Savior is to live in the freedom He has given us.
I’m pretty sure I’ve never read about a battle plan that calls for us to go backwards. So, in the spirit of gratitude for the amazing gifts we have been given, let’s move forward in the freedom that we’ve been given.
Pray this with me:
Lord,
Today will You help us to walk in the freedom that has been won for us? Help us to be thankful and show our gratitude to those who fought and won it, especially to your Son who gives us ultimate freedom.
Let us honor you with our thankfulness today.
Will you also bless each veteran that fought for freedom? Will you help them to find peace and fulfillment in your story?
Amen.
Day 4
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)
This year I became a proud Army mom. It has been incredible to be a part of this journey through my oldest son. He has grown so much and is truly learning so much about himself.
I didn’t know what to expect when we shipped him off to basic. I know that we prayed… a lot! Ask any military mama, it is a wild ride! I’m learning to pray in a whole new way, and learning a lot of new things. So is he!
When these trainees come in, they don’t know much, and these Drill Sergeants are charged with making soldiers out of them. It’s not easy, but they learn that there is a reason for everything.
Every tactical thing that they learn and every piece of gear has a purpose. When they pack it all up, they can have 40-50 lbs that they carry and then they go on a “ruck.” This is where they can go anywhere from 5 to 12 miles (or more) at a time, carrying all of their gear. In essence, if you can’t carry it, then you won’t be ready when you need to use it.
This can be pretty intense, but gives us a pretty good example of the importance of putting on your full armor to be battle ready.
As we spend time thinking about and honoring the military men and women in our lives, let it be a reminder to put on the full armor of God so that we can be ready for the daily battles against the evil one. Let’s remember to pray for our soldiers and veterans in what they are doing, and what they have done.
Pray this with me:
Lord,
We are blessed to be protected by the spiritual armor, and as we remember to put it on spiritually, let us lift up the ones in prayer who have worn actual military gear to fight against a physical enemy.
Let them know their worth. Let us remember that the biggest battles are not against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness.
Help us to take up the shield of faith, and the sword of the spirit, and also to put on the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the gospel of peace to put on our feet.
We thank you for the men and women who wore battle gear as their job. Let us be reminded to fight the good fight, and to honor you in all we do.
Amen.
Day 5
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14)
I read a story about a Civil War soldier who was on the winning side of their current battle. He was in charge of a platoon and they were so hungry and needed supplies.
They came upon a house and his men ransacked it. By force, they got any goods that were left.
He didn’t agree with their methods but he didn’t stop his men either. He talked about how the guilt of that haunted him for years to come. He later met one of the family members (who was just a girl at the time) and was able to apologize.
He knew that he could never replace what he let his men take from her family in the name of the liberty they thought they had. She told the older man that she had forgiven him years ago.
She had no idea just how much he needed her forgiveness to set him free. The way he used his freedom had not kept him free, but he found what true liberty and freedom meant.
We have been given freedom and liberty in Christ. We have been set free to free others.
Today, let’s be reminded to love and forgive. To honor and protect, just like our brave soldiers and military members were taught to do. Let us not use our liberty to sin and serve ourselves. Let us be reminded to pray for the service men and women who face daily decisions to promote liberty and justice for all.
Pray this with me:
Lord,
Thank you for the service members who live this “freedom and liberty” out daily. Let them be blessed by loving their neighbors (and the country they serve).
Help each one of us to live out the liberty you have given us by loving well and giving you all of the glory. Let us not be given to the flesh, but in all things, let us honor you.
Amen.
Your Printable Devotion for Veterans Day
For your convenience, we have turned this heartfelt devotion into a printable PDF.
You can get your printable devotion for Veterans Day here.
We Hope You Love this Family Devo for Veterans Day!
Whether you choose to use this as a family devotional, with a group, or alone, we hope and pray God will use it to speak straight to your heart.
Thank you for reading, and for choosing to honor our veterans and thank God for the wonderful, everlasting freedom he provided for us in his Son, Christ Jesus.
Read Next:
We have a bunch of free printable devotions on our site, and continue to add more, so please be sure to check them out!
