UNITED INTERCESSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 18 September 1939, Page 11

UNITED INTERCESSION

BRITISH OBSERVANCE SUNDAY, OCTOBER l ' CALL BY DR. LANG (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Pross Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Sept. 15. The following announcement has been issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Lang: “With the approval of the King and by order of PI is Majesty’s Privy Council, Sunday. October 1, has been appointed a day of national prayer. By this order, I am directed to prepare the form of intercession to be used in all churches,, chapels and provinces of Canterbury and York on that day, as well as on such other occasion’s’as each bishop may appoint for his own diocese.

As the day of national prayer is to be a Sunday, the form naturally has been adapted to the regular services of the church—Holy Communion and morning and evening prayers, contain, ing special Psalms, lessons and pray-

ars. It wiil be noted there is a direction between the bidding minister and each of these special prayers that there shall be a pause lor silent prayer.

I hope this silence will not be merely a momentary pause, but will be long enough to give members of the congregations time for recollection and 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. The order of the Privy Council applies directly only to the Church of England as by law established. But it is the means by which the Stale expresses recognition of God and the need for Divine help and guidance. The order, therefore, may rightly be regarded as national in its scope and intention. “I am convinced that the authorities in other Christian communions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be ready to commend the observance of this Sunday, October 1, by ministers and congregations, so that the whole of the people of the United Kingdom, as they enter upon the terrible ordeal of war, may be able lo join together as one community in common national life and cause to Almighty God and thus the day may be truly a day of national prayer. “I venture also to hope that if this announcement reaches any of the Dominions and colonies in time, the authorities of the various churches there may enable their people to join with their brethren in the United Kingdom in this act of united prayer to God.”