VE Day Prayers from the Church of England
For those who served and died in World War II
O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those men and women
who have died in active service,
particularly in the Second World War,
whose sacrifice brought Victory in Europe.
As we honour their courage and cherish their memory,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever. Amen.
For those who serve today
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 the peace of the world
O God, who would fold both heaven and earth
in a single peace;
we pray that the design of your great love lighten
upon the waste of our wraths and sorrows
and give peace to your church, peace among nations,
peace in our dwellings and peace in our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Sir Francis Drake’s prayer
O Lord,
when thou givest to thy servants to endeavour in any great matter,
Grant us also to know that it is not the beginning
but the continuing of the same until it be thoroughly finished
that yieldeth the true glory,
through him for the finishing of thy work laid down his life,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Prayer of Saint Ignatius
Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest,
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and not to ask for any reward;
except that of knowing that we do thy will.
Amen.
The Naval Prayer
O Eternal Lord God,
who alone spreadest out the heavens and rulest the raging of the sea;
who has compassed the waters with bounds
until day and night come to an end;
be pleased to receive into Thy almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us Thy servants,
and the Fleet in which we serve.
Preserve us from the dangers of the sea and of the air,
and from the violence of the enemy;
that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, and her Dominions,
and a security for such as pass upon the seas upon their lawful occasions;
that the inhabitants of our islands and Commonwealth
may in peace and quietness serve Thee our God;
and that we may return in safety
to enjoy the blessings of the land,
with the fruits of our labours,
and with a thankful remembrance of Thy mercies
to praise and glorify Thy Holy Name; Amen.
An Army Collect
Almighty God, whose command is over all and whose love never fails,
let us be aware of your presence and obedient to your will.
Help us to accept our share of responsibility with strong heart and cheerful mind.
Make us considerate of those with whom we live and serve,
and faithful to the duties our country has entrusted to us.
Let our uniform remind us daily of the traditions of the Army in which we serve.
When we are tempted to sin, let us resist.
When we fail, give us courage to try again.
Guide us with the light of your truth,
and keep before us the example of Jesus
in whose name we pray and in whom we trust.
Amen.
Royal Air Force Collect
Almighty God, who has promised that they who wait upon thee shall renew their strength and mount up with wings, as eagles, we commend to thy fatherly protection all who serve in the Royal Air Force.
Uplift and support us in our endeavour, that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth and a sure defence to our homeland.
Help us to fulfil our several duties with honour, goodwill and integrity, and grant that we may prove to be worthy successors of those who by their valour and sacrifice did nobly save their day and generation; through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
