St. Mary's Alverstoke - Prayer for the Forces Overseas

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.

All Amen.

The Word of God

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6.10-18

Prayer

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

For the people of God,

that they may worship you in spirit and in truth,

let us pray to the Lord:

All Lord, have mercy.

For the leaders of the nations,

that you will guide them in the ways of justice, mercy and truth,

let us pray to the Lord:

All Lord, have mercy.

For the peacemakers, that you may protect them from all evil,

let us pray to the Lord:

All Lord, have mercy.

For our loved ones, wherever they may be

and for those who wear the Queen’s uniform on our behalf,

let us pray to the Lord:

All Lord, have mercy.

For our enemies, and those who wish us harm,

that you may turn the hearts of all to kindness and friendship.

let us pray to the Lord:

All Lord, have mercy.

For the sick and wounded,

and for all prisoners and captives,

that they may know your power to heal and save,

let us pray to the Lord:

All Lord, have mercy.

Almighty God,
you see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves:
keep us both outwardly in our bodies,
and inwardly in our souls;
that we may be defended from all adversities
which may happen to the body,
and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

For those who mourn. . .

let us pray to the Lord:

All Lord, have mercy.

For those who have died in the conflict

let us pray to the Lord:

All Lord, have mercy.

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

All We will remember them.

All powerful and ever-living God,
we remember those whom you have gathered
from the storm of war into the peace of your presence:
grant that we, being faithful till death,
may receive with them the crown of life that never fades,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gathering our prayers and praises into one,

let us pray with confidence

as our Saviour has taught us.

All Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Prayer for the Safety of Troops

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom then shall I fear? .

All The Lord is the strength of my life;

of whom then shall I be afraid?

When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes,

came upon me to eat up my flesh, .

they stumbled and fell.

All Though a host encamp against me,

my heart shall not be afraid,

and though there rise up war against me,

yet will I put my trust in him.

All For in the day of trouble

he shall hide me in his shelter;

in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me

and set me high upon a rock.

Let us pray to the Lord for the safety of our troops.

May the cross of the Son of God, which is mightier than all the hosts of Satan and more glorious than all the hosts of heaven, abide with them in their going out and in our coming in. By day and by night, at morning and at evening, at all times and in all places may it protect and defend them from the wrath of evildoers, from the assaults of evil spirits, from foes visible and invisible, from the snares of the devil, from all passions that beguile the soul and body: may it guard, protect and deliver them.

All Amen. Christaraksha – an Indian Prayer.

The Conclusion

After a silence, a time-of-day prayer may be said before the final prayer.

Morning
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you that you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Keep us from falling into sin or running into danger, order us in all our doings and guide us to do always what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Evening
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Night

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, sustain the dying, calm the suffering, and pity the distressed; all for your love’s sake, O Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

May the Lord bless us,
may he deliver us from all evil,
and keep us in life eternal. All Amen.

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