29-30 August 2012
In the space of 24 hours we've
lost five Australian soldiers in two separate incidents in Afghanistan , which occurred on
Wednesday and Thursday (29-30 August 2012).
Three Brisbane based soldiers
were killed in a "green on blue" attack when someone wearing an
Afghan army uniform turned their weapon on them. Two other soldiers were
wounded.
In a separate incident, two
Special Forces soldiers have died in a helicopter crash.
Please pray for the members of
the Australian Defence Force and their families, especially for the families
who are grieving.
A Prayer inspired by
James 1:17
Every generous act of
giving, every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the father of
lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
- James, 1:17
Silence
God of unchanging love, shine your light on our nation as we
mourn the loss of five young lives, members of the Australian Defence Force.
In this time of darkness and shadow, we uphold each and
every member of their family and friends that they may know the consolation of
your love.
(We pray for each mother, father, son and daughter; we pray
for each brother, sister, niece, nephew and grandparent.)
We ponder and wonder about the circumstances of our loss;
we pray for the injured, for other members of their units;
we pray for all deployed personnel and military chaplains
who care for them.
Seeking true peace and justice for our world, give wisdom
and courage to our national and military leaders as they commit and deploy men
and women who serve our nation each day, ready, even to give up their own
lives.
Silence
We gather our prayers in the faith of Jesus Christ, who died
and rose again to save us, and now lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit in glory for ever. Amen.
A Payer for the
Australian Defence Force
Eternal God, the only source of peace,
We pray for all who serve in the defence force of this land.
Give them courage and comfort in danger,
Patience in waiting, and discipline in the just use of force.
Help us to seek for all people
The freedom to serve you and each other in compassion and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Give them courage and comfort in danger,
Patience in waiting, and discipline in the just use of force.
Help us to seek for all people
The freedom to serve you and each other in compassion and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A Prayer for Military
Chaplains
Lord God of Hosts,
we pray for your clergy whom you called to the ministry of
uniformed chaplaincy, and for those who proclaimed you love and compassion on
battlefields and Defence establishments where Australian military personnel
serve.
Lord, strengthen their faith as they seek to witness to you
in the secular world.
Protect them from all dangers and comfort them in the long
separation from their families and the familiar things of church that they must
endure.
Lord who blessed peacemakers,
bless especially those chaplains serving overseas, helping
to bring peace to nations new and old which are struggling to find their
identity and place in the world.
We ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
These prayers may also be found on the Defence Anglicans
website:
