A Prayer for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day
Lord of the nations,
we honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who served.
Grant us similar courage to recognise and restrain evil in our own day,
and may those who lead the nations of the world
work together to defend human liberty,
that we may live peaceably one with another.
This we ask in the name of the Prince of Peace,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
For the armed forces of the Crown
Heavenly Father,
we commend to your gracious care and keeping
all the men and women in our Armed Forces at home and abroad.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations;
and give them courage to face the perils that beset them;
and help them to know that nothing can separate them from your love;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O Lord God of Hosts,
stretch forth, we pray, your almighty arm
to strengthen and protect our service men and women.
Support them in times of conflict,
and in their rest and training keep them safe from all evil;
endue them with courage and loyalty;
and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For Those Deployed on Active Service
Almighty God,
stretch forth your mighty arm
to strengthen and protect the armed forces:
grant that meeting danger with courage
and all occasions with discipline and loyalty,
they may truly serve the cause of justice and peace;
to the honour of your holy name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Lord our God,
our sure stronghold,
hear the voice of our pleading
and deliver us from evil.
Strengthen us as we strive for the poor and oppressed,
and establish your justice in all the earth.
Amen
Brian Elliott, from 'They Shall Grow Not Old'
From the Field Service Book of the British Army
Almighty God,
in you alone we find safety and peace.
We commend to your gracious keeping
all the men and women who serve in the Navy, the Army, or the Air Force,
who face danger and put their lives at risk so that others might live in safety.
Defend them day by day by your heavenly power;
and help them to know that they can never pass beyond the reach of your care.
Keep alive in them and in us your vision of that peace
which alone we must seek and serve;
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
From the Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland
A Litany for the Armed Forces
Holy God, the protector of all who trust in you:
Grant to the Armed Forces of the Crown,
and all who seek you,
the assurance of your presence,
the knowledge of your love,
and the guidance of your spirit
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Bring healing and wholeness to people and nations:
let your mercy rule all that we do.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Be with all who defend your truth and your peace,
that they may vanquish injustice and wrong.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Give wisdom to leaders and commanders,
that they may be a force for good on the earth.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
In your wisdom embrace our enemies,
and those who wish us harm:
turn, the hearts of all to kindness and friendship.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Be with all medics and chaplains,
and all who support the suffering:
give then wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Sustain the anxious and fearful,
and renew then with courage from on high.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Comfort all worried families, whose loved ones are in danger:
surround them with your love, protect them from all harm.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Be with the sick and wounded,
stand by all prisoners and captives:
let your mercy be shown to all, and your power to heal and save.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Receive those fallen in battle, and all innocents who have died:
surround their loved ones with compassion,
and give them a patient faith.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Confirm what is founded on truth,
and establish your love in our hearts:
that justice may abound on the Earth,
and all peoples rejoice in your peace.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
The litany may end with the Lord's Prayer.
A Prayer of Commemoration
Minister Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.
All Let us outdo one another in showing honour.
Minister Repay no one evil for evil;
All Let us hold fast to what is good. (Romans 12.9,17)
As on this day we commemorate the 75th anniversary of D Day, let us remember the soldiers, sailors and airmen who were killed that day, and in the fighting that followed, and the civilians too.
Let us remember those who were maimed physically or scarred mentally, and think of the young men and women who went into battle for the first time and against war-hardened troops.
Let us pray.
Lord of the nations, as we commemorate this anniversary of D Day we honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in Operation Overlord. We also remember with thanksgiving the collaboration between the Allied Forces, and those who planned and oversaw the Normandy beach landings and subsequent operations. Grant us similar courage to recognise and restrain evil in our own day, and may those who lead the nations of the world work together to defend human liberty, that we may live peaceably one with another. This we ask in the name of the Prince of Peace, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Silence may be kept for a while and end with the response:
Minister For freedom Christ has set us free.
All Let us stand firm and promote all that is good. (Galatians 5.1)