DAY OF PRAYER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 219, 16 September 1939, Page 10

DAY OF PRAYER.

THROUGHOUT NATION.

To Be Observed On First Sunday In October.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND ORDER. British Official Wireless. (Heceived 1.00 p.m.) RUGBY, September 15. The following announcement has been issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury:—"With the approval of the King and by order of Ilis Majesty's I'rivv Council, Sunday, October 3, has been appointed a clay of national prayer. "By this order I am directed to prepare the form of intercession to be used in all churches and chajtols in the provinces of Canterbury and York on that day, as well as on such other occasions as each bishop may appoint for his own-diocese. As the day of national prayer is a Sunday, the form has naturally been adapted to the regular services of the Church—-Holy Communion, and morning and evening prayers containing special psalms, lessons and prayers.

"It will be noted that there is a direction that between the bidding of the minister and each of these special prayers there shall be a pause for silent prayer. 1 hope this silence will not be merely a momentary pause, but that it will be long enough to give members of the congregation time for recollection and for making their own personal prayers. The purpose of the prayer which follows is to gather up in one the prayers which will thus have been severally offered.

"Ihe order of the council applies directly only to the Church of England, as by law established. But it is-a means by which the State expresses recognition of God and the need for Divine help and guidance. The order, therefore, should rightly be regarded as national in its scope and intention. I am convinced that the authorities of other Christian communions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be ready to commend observance of this Sunday. October 1, by ministers and congregations that the whole people of the Lnited Kingdom, as they enter upon the terrible ordeal of war,'may be able to join together as one community in prayer to Almighty God, and thus the day may be truly a day of national prayer.

I venture also to hope, if this announcement reaches any of the Dominions or colonies in time that the authorities in the various churches ther« may enable their people t,o join with their brethren in the United Kingdom in tins act of united prayer to God."