Bless All Who Serve

I had requested this military prayer/faith book to review as it peaked my interest since I am moving into the direction of clergy. I was curious as to if it was truly interfaith for the military. I was pleasantly surprised at how many different familiar names popped up throughout the pages. From Starhawk to Maya Angelou, from Thomas Jefferson to Lao-Tse, and many ministers and reverends in between.

The book is edited by Matthew & Gail Tittle. Matthew happens to be a Unitarian Universalist minister and he and his wife both are retired military. In my own personal opinion, only a UU minister can pull off the amazing balance of spirituality that Matthew & Gail accomplished within this small book. UU’s are notorious for being socially conscious and you can see they really worked hard at bringing some balance. And of course the military background contributes highly to the needs of our troops and their families.

The book includes Ancient Texts, Prayers and Poems, Readings, Reflections, and Hymns. With the wide range of reading and singing one can easily design a service, ritual, devotional, or honorary gathering for the military and their families. At only 112 pages the book is chock full of useful tools for anyone.

The book makes a wonderful gift for any soldier ( you could even mark specific passages just for them as a special message from you), military families, and really anyone else. Despite the fact that it is for military, some passages are just easily applicable to anyone. Such as this particular passage:

If there is to be peace in the worlds, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.

Bless All Who Serve
Sources of Hope, Courage and Faith for Military Personnel and Their Families
Edited by Rev Dr. Matthew Tittle, Gail Tittle
ISBN: 9781558965669
Book (Paperback)
Skinner House Books
$8.00