Dear Lord, on this day I celebrate the birth and life of my brother, who served in Iraq as a marine. I thank You, Lord, for family and for people who are willing to be the hands and feet on the front lines in conflict. I am inspired buy my brother’s selfless service in war and to be more selfless in my own service in the conflict against the Evil One. Help me, Lord, to respond when and where You call me; wholeheartedly and selflessly to follow You. Amen.

Prayer by a member of the Dakotas Conference.

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

John 11:32-36