Table of Contents
For the Defence Force
O merciful God, fill our hearts with the graces of the Holy Spirit,
with love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Teach us to love those who hate us,
to bless those who curse us,
and to pray for those who abuse us,
that we many be the children of our Father:
who makes the sun shine on the evil and the good,
and send rain on the just and the unjust.
In adversity grant us grace to be patient;
in prosperity keep us humble;
may we guard the door of our lips;
may we lightly regard the pleasures of this world,
and thirst only after heavenly things;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
St. Anselm, 1033-1109
Thanks for our Freedom
O God, our ruler and our guide,
In whose hands are the destinies of this and every nation,
We give you thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this land
And for those who laid down their lives to defend them:
We pray that we and all the people of Australia,
Gratefully remembering their courage and their sacrifice,
May have grace to live in a spirit of justice,
Of generosity, and of peace;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
For the Holy Love of God
Deliver us, O God, from a lazy mind, all lukewarmness of heart and all depression of spirit.
We know that these must deaden our love for you;
mercifully free our hearts from them all.
And give us such a lively, fervent and cheerful spirit
that we may vigorously perform whatever you command, thankfully suffer whatever you chose for us, and always be eager to obey your holy love in all things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
John Wesley, 1703-1791
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen
Anzac Day Prayers
ANZAC DAY From A Prayer Book for Australia page 204
God of love and liberty,
We bring our thanks today for the peace and security we enjoy,
We remember those who in time of war faithfully served their country.
We pray for their families, and for ourselves whose freedom was won at such a cost.
Make us a people zealous for peace, and hasten that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither learn war any more.
This we pray in the name of the one who gave his life for the sake of the world:
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Amen.
ANZAC DAY From A Prayer Book for Australia page 628
O God, our ruler and guide,
In whose hands are the destinies of this and every nation,
We give you thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this land
And for those who laid down their lives to defend them:
We pray that we and all the people of Australia,
Gratefully remembering their courage and their sacrifice,
May have the grace to live in a spirit of justice, of generosity, and of peace;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
Amen
A prayer of remembrance
Lord God, help us this day to remember the sacrifice of the first ANZACs, Australian and New Zealander, and the generations of men, women and children who have died in the cause of liberty and peace.
Help us to remember those who still bear the physical and mental scars and disabilities of their service.
Help us to remember the widows, girlfriends, parents and orphans and all those who waited in vain for the return of a loved one.
Help us to remember the mateship, agony, courage and compassion of war service, but save us from ever glorifying the horror and tragedy of war.
Lord God, help us to remember.
Amen
A prayer for peace
Almighty God, we remember with thanksgiving, those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in times of war.
We pray that their offering of their lives may not have been in vain.
May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice, freedom and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world.
Amen
Remembrance Day
From A Prayer Book for Australia page 204
God of love and liberty,
We bring our thanks today for the peace and security we enjoy,
We remember those who in time of war faithfully served their country.
We pray for their families, and for ourselves whose freedom was won at such a cost.
Make us a people zealous for peace, and hasten that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither learn war any more.
This we pray in the name of the one who gave his life for the sake of the world:
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Amen.
From A Prayer Book for Australia page 628
O God, our ruler and guide,
In whose hands are the destinies of this and every nation,
We give you thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this land
And for those who laid down their lives to defend them:
We pray that we and all the people of Australia,
Gratefully remembering their courage and their sacrifice,
May have the grace to live in a spirit of justice, of generosity, and of peace;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
Amen
A prayer of remembrance [adapted]
Lord God, help us this day to remember the sacrifice of those caught up in war, and the generations of men, women and children who have died in the cause of liberty and peace.
Help us to remember those who still bear the physical and mental scars and disabilities of their service.
Help us to remember the widows, girlfriends, parents and orphans and all those who waited in vain for the return of a loved one.
Help us to remember the mateship, agony, courage and compassion of war service, but save us from ever glorifying the horror and tragedy of war.
Lord God, help us to remember.
Amen
A prayer for peace
Almighty God, we remember with thanksgiving, those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in times of war.
We pray that their offering of their lives may not have been in vain.
May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice, freedom and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world.
Amen
Australia Day
We bless you, God of the Universe, for this land,
for its contrasts of landscape and climate, for its abundance of wealth and opportunity.
We bless you for our history,
with all its struggles in adversity, its courage and hope.
Give us in our diversity
tolerance and respect for each other and a passionate commitment to justice for all.
Bless us so that we might be a blessing to others.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayers during an election campaign
A Litany for use during an election campaign
Lord of every time and place, God of integrity and truth, we pray for wisdom as we prepare to vote in the Federal election.
Let us give thanks to God, saying, ‘we thank you, Lord’.
For this land and the diversity of its peoples,
– we thank you, Lord.
For all who work for peace and justice in this land,
– we thank you, Lord.
For leaders who serve the common good,
– we thank you, Lord.
For robust democracy and freedom to participate in public life,
– we thank you, Lord.
For media scrutiny and open debate,
– we thank you, Lord.
Let us pray to the Lord, saying,
‘Hear us, good Lord’.
Bless those who administer the electoral process, that they may uphold fairness, honesty and truth.
– Hear us, good Lord.
Impart your wisdom to all who propose policy, that their promises may serve those in greatest need.
– Hear us, good Lord.
Give integrity to party leaders, candidates and campaign workers, and keep them from deceit and corruption.
– Hear us, good Lord.
Protect all engaged in public life, with their families, friends and colleagues, that nothing may demean or do them harm.
– Hear us, good Lord.
Direct those who influence opinion through the media,
that we may listen, speak and vote with sound minds.
– Hear us, good Lord.
The Litany concludes with one or both of these prayers:
Lord of every time and place, God beyond our dreaming, we pray for wisdom as we prepare to vote in the Federal election.
Give us a Parliament committed to the priorities of your kingdom, so that peace, compassion, truth and justice may prevail among us, and make us a blessing to all peoples, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God, bless Australia, guard our people,
guide our leaders and give us peace;
for Jesus Christ’s sake.
Amen.
Those experiencing guilt & anxiety
God of all comfort: quieten our minds that we may make room for your healing and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God of love and wisdom, you know all our anxieties and fears:
Grant that I may cast all my care on you, knowing that you care for me.
Give me quietness of mind, and unshaken trust in you, and keep me in perfect peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Amen.
From A Prayer Book for Australia page 690 (slightly adapted)
Prayer for those Deploying
Introduction
Leader
Brothers and sisters, you have been called from among us to deployment; the people gathered here thank you, with heartfelt gratitude, for your willingness to serve at this time.
United with you in faith, we enfold you in our love and surround you with prayer, blessing and the assurance of God’s presence as you go forth from this place to fulfil your call.
Prayers
Leader
Let us pray. Lord of the nations and Lover of all people, we give you profound thanks for all those who have answered the call, those past and those present, to serve our nation as members of [Unit name].
What lies ahead is, in large measure, unknown; yet some awareness of the perils and dangers gives us prayerful pause to seek your blessing.
All
God, be present with those who serve.
Leader
Be present with and guide all our military personnel. Sharpen their skills; make their judgements true; give them those things necessary to achieve our goals and fulfil our mission.
All
God, be present with those who serve.
Leader
Give to each man and woman your strength, wisdom and grace, that their fears may be laid aside, their faith fostered, their courage made sure, and their spirits comforted by the knowledge of your divine presence throughout their days.
All
God, be present with those who serve.
Leader
Guard and protect them from harm and the ways of darkness that threaten us. Bring to us all light over darkness, as you are the God of light and love.
All
God, be present with those who serve.
Leader
Loving Father, watch over and protect the loved ones of those who deploy. Give them calm strength and patient wisdom as they face this time of separation. Protect them, and fill their days with peace, until the time when they can be together.
All
God, be present with the loved ones of those who serve.
Leader
Above all, grant these men and women a blessing that will sustain them in the face of whatever may come.
Bless as well our nation, its leaders and its military services that wisdom, justice, and freedom may prevail and prosper.
For you are the God of blessings, the source of all good, the sustainer of our lives, now and forever.
All
Amen
Conclusion
Those being deployed turn to face the congregation, which stands for the final blessing.
Leader
People of God, send forth these people to serve with your love, support and prayers.
All
Women and men of the [ADF/Navy/Army/Air Force], go forth on our behalf.
Do your duty with honour and compassion.
Know that no task is too trivial or small in the cause of peace.
Know also that our love and support goes with you.
Go forth with blessings in abundance from God:
creator, redeemer and sustainer.
And may God’s peace be with you always.
Amen.
Notes 1. Adapted from liturgy by the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, by CHAPs Robyn Kidd, Kate Lord, RAN, and Sue Page.
