CALL TO PRAYER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20636, 16 August 1941, Page 5

CALL TO PRAYER

PEOPLE OF BRITAIN ARCHBISHOP’S MESSAGE INTERCESSION FOR RUSSIA (Elec. Tel Copyright—United Presa ABsnD (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 10.30 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 15. Referring to the King’s desire that Sunday, September 7, should be observed as a national day of prayer in Britain, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Lang, writes that it will have a ready response lrom his people. “It is only right that the nation should humbly acknowledge its dependence to God and commit its cause to the Judge of all the earth on the Sunday immediately following the second anniversary of the day when it entered the greatest crisis in its long history. As the third year oi war begins, while there is much foi which we have reason to give thanks, there is a special call to remember in prayer the armies and people oi Russia in their heroic resistance to the military might of Germany, and the new and grave anxieties which are rising in the Near and Far East. We know not what trials or dangers may be coming. Pray we, therefore, for courage to meet them and strength to overcome them. No New Forms of Prayer “So far as the Church of England is concerned, it is not proposed _to issue any new forms of prayer. The clergy already have copies of the forms issued for May 26, 1940, and March 23, 1941. These may still be used, adapted to the needs and circumstances of their several congregations. A desire has sometimes been expressed for some short, simple form for use on special occasions other than the customary services of the church, but no one form can meet the very varied circumstances of such occasions. There is room here for exercise by the clergy of their own initiative and discretion, subject to the sanction of their bishops. “It is to be hoped that those who are responsible locally for the arrangement of the work in the factories, workshops, and for the training of the Home Guard and other branches of civilian service may make it possible for all on this Sunday to join in a united national act of remembrance of God and of prayer for help and strength in the great struggle.”