No one thought to pray after they came home

No one thought to pray after they came home
October 22, 9:26 PM
Orlando Veteran's Health Examiner Kathie DiCesare

Their story has been written since man left home to fight battles in places where he did not live. They left with the prayers of their wives and children, their families and friends and even prayers of neighbors they never talked to. Everyone knew where they were going along with how much they would need the protection of God's angels to come home again. They knew should the worst happen, they would also need God's mercy, grace and forgiveness so they could return to heaven, forgiven of their sins.

Prayers continued while they were gone. It was common knowledge during times of war, there were many dangers to be faced. Prayers came, letters came, people paid attention as much as possible.

On return home, there were prayers of thanksgiving. A sense of relief the soldier had returned, save and sound, but no one really thought about what the word "sound" meant or what was really save. They didn't think to pray after the soldier came home because there was seen to be no need of it. By the time prayers were obviously needed, it was often too late. The time deployed into danger, forgotten about. Before their eyes, they saw a man they no longer knew. They couldn't see he had been slowly buried under a burden he was not meant to carry alone.
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No one thought to pray after they came home

John Newton’s own sermon notes for his hymn
New Year's Morning1 January 1773
1 Chronicles 17:16,17
And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And yet this was a small thing in thine yes, O God, for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.John Newton’s own sermon notes for his hymn

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.............
http://www.littleleaf.com/amazinggrace.htm
Please click above to read the rest of this piece. I didn't want to get too preachy on it and space is a bit limited on the site, but here I can add a little more to it.

The grace of God is what we are expected to help deliver by opening eyes and letting our veterans know nothing they have done they cannot be forgiven for. Most of them believe they have to be forgiven for something. Frankly, we all do things we need to be forgiven for, but to them the depth of their pain is very deep. Do no pass of if they tell you they are evil. Remind them of what God has already forgiven in the Bible and let them know there is nothing they cannot be forgiven for. It will cost you nothing to help them remember that and show them compassion for their pain.

Do not regard them as if they are suddenly different people totally changed from the loving person they used to be. They are still in there and they are not suddenly a monster, suddenly uncaring, suddenly unloving. They are behind the wall of pain with the same compassion they had before they walked through the gates of hell with the courage to risk their lives for the sake of others. They are still there. You just have to find them and help them find themselves.

There is a lot you have to learn about PTSD but it is not impossible to do it. All you need is the love you already had in you when you decided to seek the information that lead you here.