Special Blessings

Dear Lord, I come before Your Throne, A friend with me, I bring. Ask not his name or year of birth, Or his ethnicity. A special prayer from You I ask, For someone I don't know. He traveled half way round the world So freedom here can grow. I do not know how old he is Or where his family lives. I simply heard of what he does And how much good he gives. With wife and children still at home, He traveled far away. It's Christmas Eve without their Dad, Because he had to stay. They cannot share eggnog or cake With whom they love the most, Because he guards an enemy gate For us here, coast to coast. I know Dear Lord, because of me, Our nation, he defends. So when he needs my prayers to You, On me, he can depend. Lord, watch his children and his wife And keep them safe and strong. Please give them special blessings, Lord, Until he gets back home. He counts the days that come and go Kissing a photo bare, With tears that slip past lids that hold His pain, from loneliness, there. My heart aches deep within my soul, And gratitude fills my eyes, For names not known, nor faces shown, Whose offering is sacrifice. So for the soldier, brave and strong, I pray this special prayer. My home is free and safe tonight Because he's over there.