DAY OF PRAYER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 208, 3 September 1943, Page 4

DAY OF PRAYER

SERVICE IN OPERA HOUSE

In keeping with other centres in New Zealand, Wanganui will observe a Day of Prayer to-day, the fourtn anniversary of the outbreak of war. A service of intercession will be held in the Opera House from 11 o'clock to noon. The gathering will be under |the auspices of the Wanganui MinlsI ters’ Association, and will be presided I over by the Rev. E. B. Chambers. The | address will be given by the Rev. N. I Flett. The president of the Council of Christian Congregations, the Rev. H. D. Rosenthal], will also assist. Should the attendance warrant it an overflow service in the Majestic Theatre will be addressed by the Rev. A. C. McLean, Archdeacon J. R. Young presiding. "The Day of Prayer commanded by His Majesty the King, is too lightly regarded by some people," states the Rev. H. D. Rosenthal), acting-vicar at St. Peter’s. Gonviile, in a statement on the Day of Prayer to be observed tola.'- throughout the British Empire. Pointing out three ways in which the observance offers an opportunity that no person should neglect, he says:— "In the first place the wish of the King should be law for all loyal subjects of the Crown. In this city the City Council with the Ministers’ Association and the various churches are arranging a number of gatherings for prayer. The City Council is summoning people to a meeting in the Opera House, and the churches are calling their own members together at other times in the day. In addition, some of the main workshops and factories are stopping work for 10 minutes in order that their employees may gather for prayer. Now I suggest that attendance at such services is a matter of patriotic duty a least.” “Secondly, a Day of Prayer like today, offers a chance for the churches to meet on common ground without compromising their denominational distinctness. There will be at least one service held in which the people and clergy of three great denominations will combine: and they will do so to the great edification of their faith.

“Thirdly, it is an opportunity for those whose faith is weak or tepid to realise afresh the meaning of prayer. People who seldom or never pray, except when they or those they love are in danger, must learn the better way of prayer. They must learn "to pray not selfishly, like children who can see no good but their own, but like men who can pray to their Father in Heaven ‘Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come. Thv will be done, in earth as it is in Heaven.’ For it must never be forgotten that we are fighting this war not only for our own survival but for the will of God; and

prayer is one of the chief ways by which we identify ourselves with the mind of God.” Evening Services. To-night a service will be held in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ingestre Street, at 7.30. A service will also be held to-night in the Westmere Memorial Church.