Each year on the last Monday in May, our country observes Memorial Day as a national holiday. The older I get, the more I realize that not everyone understands what Memorial Day is or how to reflect on it, if they choose to at all.
In my small Midwestern town the Memorial Day Parade has dwindled over the years from a well-attended community event, to a very sparsely attended gathering. I believe some people confuse it with Veterans Day which takes place in November. Others may just consider it as the unofficial start of summer, with a relaxing three-day weekend.
But Memorial Day has tremendous significance, not just for our country, but for the body of Christ. It reminds us that our God is a God of remembrance; throughout the Bible He calls His people to remember the miracles He has done, and to honor those who have gone before. Memorial Day also teaches us about humility and gratitude that we need to show others, as well as the importance of offering comfort to those who may be grieving. It’s worth taking a moment to think of the meaning of this day and consider how we, as Christians, can observe it in ways that honor both God and those who are being remembered.
What Is Memorial Day and Why Do We Observe It?
Memorial Day is a national observance dedicated to honoring the men and women of the armed forces who died while serving our country. (In contrast, Veterans Day honors all who have served, both living and deceased.) The origins of Memorial Day can be traced back to the period following the Civil War, when families and communities from both the Union and Confederate sides began holding memorials for their fallen soldiers.
Originally known as "Decoration Day," the tradition involved decorating the graves of the dead to pay tribute to their sacrifice. In 1868, a group of Union veterans designated May 30th as the official day to commemorate those who died in the Civil War.
With each subsequent war involving American armed services members, Memorial Day activities grew more widespread. In 1971, Congress declared it an official holiday, changing the observance to the last Monday in May.
Why do we observe Memorial Day? First, it's important to remember that honoring this day isn’t limited to those who personally know someone who died in battle. Even if the names and faces of the fallen are unknown to us, their sacrifice helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today. Many did not choose to walk into such danger—yet they still gave everything. That alone is reason for deep gratitude. Second, we need to consider that there are grieving family members who have lost loved ones to military conflict who may need our comfort and support. Third, and most importantly, I believe that God calls us to remember the sacredness of sacrifice. As we think about people laying down their lives, we can’t help but reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us, by dying on the cross for our sins.
How Should Christians Reflect on Memorial Day?
Before we think about how to honor individuals and families on Memorial Day, it's fitting to first reflect on the author of memorials: God. Throughout the Bible, God often called His people to remember what He had said and done. At times, He even instructed them to set up stones or build altars as lasting memorials to Him where future generations could celebrate Him. Especially in times when stories were passed down orally rather than written, remembering accurately was essential to ensure that God’s great miracles and mercies—would not be forgotten. Stories like:
God destroyed the earth with a flood, but then placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign of the covenant He made with Noah: that He would never again send a flood to destroy all life (Genesis 9:16). Even today, we are called to remember this promise whenever we see a rainbow.
Throughout generations, God repeatedly commanded the Israelites to remember how He delivered them from slavery in Egypt—parting the Red Sea so they could escape. From Exodus through Isaiah,God’s people are reminded to recall these mighty acts of deliverance. This covenant is still honored today through expressions of gratitude in prayer and in sacred observances like Passover.
For Christians, the cross is the ultimate memorial—a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. Whether we see it on a wall or wear it around our necks, it calls us to continually give thanks for what it represents: God's love, mercy, and redemption.
Just as the Bible calls us to remember and be grateful, Memorial Day offers a moment to pause, reflect, and express deep gratitude for those who have helped ensure the freedoms we hold dear. If we are not close to someone who has experienced this loss in their family or community, we can still pray and meditate on words that focus our attention on what it means to lay down one's life for another. Words like selflessness, dedication, bravery, honor, humility, service, heroism, and love.
What Does the Bible Say about Sacrifice and Honor?
The central theme of the Bible is God’s creation of humanity and His offer of forgiveness through a redemptive plan—a plan that required sacrificial atonement for our sins, paid for by His one and only Son. Since God’s design is that we would become more like Jesus, we need to embody sacrifice too–sacrifice that brings glory and honor to our God.
The Bible has much to say about sacrifice and honor, especially when people were called to make the ultimate sacrifice:
Jesus is our ultimate example of sacrifice. Completely holy and innocent, He laid down his life for the sins of the entire world. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)
Abraham was called by God to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice to test his faith, but then God provided a substitutionary sacrifice at the last moment. (Genesis 22).
Noah was called to sacrifice his life and reputation by spending 120 years building a boat that God would use to save a remnant of creation before destroying the rest (Genesis 6).
All of Jesus’ disciples sacrificed their lives to follow Him, and spent their lives telling others about Him–only to die a martyr’s death (all except the Apostle John).
When it comes to honor, the Bible talks about honoring God, honoring others, and even honoring the sacrifice of others.
“Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained” (1 Samuel 3:20).
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops” (Proverbs 3:9).
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17 ).
The “Hall of Faith” written about in the Book of Hebrews, chapter 11, talks about many Bible characters who “were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what he had been promised” (Hebrews 11:39). Each was called to honor God with their whole lives, and “the world was not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:38). Each is an example to us today about what it truly means to have faith in God.
Why We Should Pray for Our Nation and Military Families
Simply put, we pray for our country and for military families because God calls us to do so. In several places in the Bible, Christians are called to pray for the nation they are living in. One of the most memorable examples is in 2 Chronicles 7:14 when God said, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Our goal is to please God by following His commands, and by our prayer and example, others may come to know Christ as Savior. Therefore, we never give up praying for our country and for countries around the world.
When it comes to praying for military families, God calls us to pray for the needs of others, “loving our neighbors as ourselves– which Jesus said was the second greatest commandment. We can lift the hurting in prayer, asking that God will provide all of their needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). We can “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves... serve the Lord” (Romans 12:10-11). And we can do so with the right attitude: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition... but in humility value others above yourselves... not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Memorial Day Prayers and Bible Verses for Comfort and Courage
If you’re looking for a prayer prompt, and Bible verses for comfort and courage for those who are grieving, perhaps these can assist you:
Prayers:
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You have raised up so many people who have made it their mission to help our country by serving in the military. It’s a mission that calls for dedication, bravery, and selfless love for fellow Americans. Lord, I know that many who served in years past did so because they were drafted rather than volunteered. Still, to these, we offer heartfelt gratitude for their heroism in the face of danger, and pray that the remembrance of all of these individuals drives us to look for ways that we can serve our fellow man.
Lord, You know that many are hurting because of their heroic family member, friend, or loved one. Your word says that You are the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, and You comfort us in all our affliction (2 Cor. 1:3). Abba Father, please show those who are grieving that You are always with them and that nothing can separate them from Your love.
Bible verses:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18.)
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (I Peter 5:10).
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3–4).
As we consider the lives and sacrifices of others, it can lead us to realize that we, too, will have a day when we are called from the earth. How can we look forward to that day, rather than living in fear of it?
Our Hope as Christians in the Face of Death
If we’ve trusted our days to Jesus’ leading, provision and protection–and trusted that his sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for our sins– then we don’t mourn as those who have no hope (I Thessalonians 4:13). Even in the face of death we have all of the hope of a perfect eternity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus promised that “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2-3). He also told a thief hanging on a cross next to Him that because of his belief in Jesus, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
The Apostle Paul wrote about death in his letters to young Christian churches throughout the known world at the time. He said, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). He also wrote, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). Paul clearly knew that when God took him from the earth that he would be with Christ where there would be no more suffering.
An early follower of Jesus named Stephen was witnessing to unbelievers when they began to stone him for his “blasphemy.” As he was being killed, he asked God to forgive those who were throwing stones, and looked up and said that he saw heaven opened and Jesus waiting for him there. Then he asked Jesus to receive his spirit (Acts 7:56-60).
In all of these examples, we see tremendous hope that when we close our eyes here on earth, we will be with the Lord, enjoying Him forever.
Remembering with Honor, Living with Purpose
If you lost a family member who served in the armed services, please allow me to express my deepest gratitude. I am beyond grateful for what your loved one has done for me, a fellow American. I’m in awe of those who feel called to protect our nation, fully aware of the cost they may pay. Please know that your family member is precious to God, and so are you.
Along with my fellow believers, Memorial Day–the remembrance of the brave and true–is a time to reconsider what we ourselves are doing to live with such purpose. Are we laying down our lives for our “friends” in ways that show we love them and feel called to serve them? Are we making a difference in the name of Jesus in our community, whether that community is in our home, our church, our town, or our country? Are we sharing the most important news with everyone we can: that Jesus came to earth to live and die as one of us, to feel what we feel and to show us that He understands, cares, and comforts–while taking the punishment for our sins?
Hearing of someone’s selfless act should prompt us to want to do the same. Not just on Memorial Day, but every day that God grants us breath and opportunity.
Photo credit: Chad Madden/Unsplash
Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance writer and copy editor who prayed for years for a way to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing more than 1,500 articles in addition to marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is too short to write about anything else. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a large healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the original Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her writer daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not always in that order).
