We Will REMEMBER THEM
two minute silence T
he last soldiers went ‘over the top’ at 4.20am on 11 november 1918. the Armistice was signed at 5am in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiegne, france.
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then, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the guns of europe fell silent. the great War was over. on that morning alone there were 10,944 casualties and 2,738 deaths on the Western front.
11thth hour 11thday 11 month the following year, King george v issued a proclamation which called for a two minute silence: ‘All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.’
each year since then, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, the two minute silence is observed by the royal British legion and in Commonwealth countries remembering the end of the first World War.
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remembering...
O
ften these words are said at remembrance events as we think about those who have given their lives in war.
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The Kohima Epitaph
When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today. 1
gratitude Ode of Remembrance
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. 2
Use the two minute silence to look back with gratitude for the sacrifice made by so many in war, to reflect on your own life and to look forward with hope.
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praying
together T
oday let us remember those who have died for their country in war; those we knew, and all who have given their lives for freedom, justice and the hope of peace.
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As we look forward and seek the way of peace and reconciliation, you might like to say this prayer, which has been specially written for remembrance services. 3
God's presence Lord, strengthen our hearts, hands, and minds, to work together for peace; to see you in one another, and to seek your kingdom above all things; that your will may be seen to be done, and your Kingdom come, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings. Amen.
When we are silent, sometimes we can become more aware of God’s presence. Just as troops on the battlefields called out to God, you can talk to him about the big issues in your life.
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costly
friendship P
als battalions were recruited in World War i so men could fight alongside their friends, work colleagues and neighbours. the impact of heavy losses from these battalions can still be seen on memorials in workplaces and schools today; whole
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communities lost their sons and fathers. A Bible verse often quoted at remembrance events is taken from John’s gospel. these are the words of Jesus Christ written down by John, one of Jesus’s closest friends, nearly 2,000 years ago:
Jesus said, ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.’ John’s gospel chapter 15 verse 13
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two victoria crosses C
aptain noel Chavasse (9 november 1884 – 4 August 1917) was a medical doctor and British Army officer in World War i. his is one of only three people to be awarded a victoria Cross twice.
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on 1 november, 1914 when Chavasse left with his battalion for france, he wrote home saying: ‘Goodbye my dear father. I am going to do my best to be a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ and King George.’
noel quickly gained a reputation for his special commitment to his men, doing medical work all day then going with the stretcher bearers into no man's land at night to bring back the dead and wounded. twice wounded by shell blasts, noel kept working.
he went to within 20 metres of the german front line to rescue three wounded men resulting in his first victoria Cross. he gained a second vC after similar sacrificial action at passchendaele, but subsequently died of his wounds.
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hacksaw ridge O
ne of the most powerful scenes in the film Hacksaw Ridge directed by mel gibson, is when World War ii medic desmond doss prays, ‘help me get just one more, lord.’
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in this true story, desmond doss cried to god for help as he rescued 75 men from the top of an imposing rock face the soldiers called hacksaw ridge near okinawa, Japan.
Sacrificial love he showed the same courage and sacrifice as noel Chevasse and many others, drawing on the strength he found following Jesus, who made the ultimate sacrifice 2,000 years ago for all of us.
In the silence, as you listen to your own breathing, remember those who fought and died. Think of your own friends and family. What would you be prepared to die for?
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known to
God T
he body of an unknown British soldier was buried in Westminster Abbey on 11 november 1920. his grave commemorates the multitudes who died in the great War of 1914 -1918. the inscription reads, ‘they buried him among the kings because he had done good toward god and toward his house.’
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Around the tomb of the unknown soldier there are four Bible texts almost hidden by the wreaths of poppies: ‘The Lord knoweth them that are his’ 2 timothy 2:19.
‘Unknown and yet well known, dying and behold we live’ 2 Corinthians 6:9.
these Bible verses were chosen because many of those who fought and died 100 years ago believed: • god exists • We are known individually by him • Jesus Christ gave his life to make it possible for us to know god • Because of Jesus, we can have life after death
‘In Christ shall all be made alive’ 1 Corinthians 15:22.
‘Greater love hath no man than this’ John 15:13.
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comfort &
strength M ost people pray at some time in their lives. in war and in peace time, throughout history, men and women have called out to god. You can use your own words or these words of King david, written around 3,000 years ago.
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‘Hear my prayer… When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.’ psalm 86 verses 6 & 7
many soldiers and their families have found comfort and strength in psalms like these and in talking to the god who promises: ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’ Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 13
Christians find courage because they know they are loved by god. the words of psalm 23, often used as a prayer to god, include these lines: ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me...’
Rescue mission
When Jesus explained why he had to die, he said: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son… God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him.’ John chapter 3 verse 16.
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calling out to God A
rthur Barraclough went ‘over the top’ six times on the Western front. Before he died at the age of 106 in 2004, the BBC recorded his story.
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he recalled, ‘i always said a prayer before going over the top... i always used to just stand still for a minute and just say this little prayer. i’ll never forget it.
‘Dear God, I am going into grave danger. Please help me to act like a man and come back safe.’ ‘And that’s what i did. And i went over without fear. that little prayer seemed to save my life because i had no fear left,
although there were shells and bullets and all the rest flying when we went over and i were never frightened of being hit… six times i went up and six times i said that little prayer and each time i went up and come back safe. And i thank god for it every time.’ 4
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tough issues
prayers for
courage A
nglican priest rev geoffrey studdert Kennedy volunteered as a chaplain on the Western front during the first World War. he was affectionately known as Woodbine Willie because he gave out Woodbine cigarettes along with spiritual help to injured and dying soldiers.
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he was awarded the military Cross for his reckless courage, running into no man’s land to help the wounded. Woodbine Willie’s wartime experiences made him think about prayer and how god answers when we cry out to him. prayer is not ‘a kind of magic cheque upon the bank of heaven,’ he said.
in more modern terminology: prayer is not a vending machine where a person’s prayer always gets them exactly what they ask for. Woodbine Willie remembered how Jesus prayed in a garden near Jerusalem hours before his crucifixion on a roman cross. Although Jesus knew what was coming, his prayer was not for safety but for courage to do god’s will. 5
Think about what soldiers and their families go through. Few of us face such physical and emotional suffering, but we do have to work through tough issues. In the silence, be aware of your own fears and anxieties. Whatever you are facing right now, ask for God’s help and courage in that difficult situation.
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finding
peace E
dith Cavell was a Christian who served as a nurse and matron in enemy-occupied Belgium during the First World War. Edith was executed in 1915 for enabling around 200 Allied soldiers to escape to neutral territory.
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The night before her execution she said: ‘Standing as I do in view of God and Eternity, I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.’
Edith understood that Jesus’s greater love commands us to love our enemies as well as our neighbours and friends. As she took communion for the last time, the chaplain with her said, ‘We shall remember you as a heroine and a martyr.’ She replied ‘Don’t think of me like that. Think of me as a nurse who tried to do her duty.’ 6
‘No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.’ Romans chapter 5 verses 7-8
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forgiveness
A
fter World War ii, following the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in 1940, the words ‘father forgive’ were inscribed on the wall behind the altar of the ruined building - words which are prayed in the new Cathedral every weekday.
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God's help finding peace and reconciliation can take many years of hard work and commitment after fighting has stopped. it starts with people who are willing to forgive their enemies and to let go of bitterness.
As you sit or stand in silence, clench your fists tightly, then open them, showing your willingness to let go of the things that stop you finding peace in your life. Ask God for his help to work this out in the coming weeks and months.
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hope for the future T
hroughout history people have looked forward, beyond death to a more permanent heavenly home. As hymn-writer isaac Watts (1674-1748) wrote in this hymn, which is often sung at remembrance events:
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Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.
John, an eye-witness to Jesus’s life who wrote Jesus’s life story in John’s gospel, also wrote down a vision of heaven the ‘eternal home’ that isaac Watts wrote about. ‘I heard a loud voice from the throne. It said, “Look! God now makes his home with the people. He will live with them. They will be his people. And
God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death... no more sadness. There will be no more crying or pain. Things are no longer the way they used to be.” He who was sitting on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”’ revelation chapter 21 verses 3-5
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God with us I
t is the hope of an eternal future and god’s presence through all of life’s joys and sorrows, which gives Christians confidence and courage. After Jesus rose from the dead, and before he returned to his father in heaven he told his followers:
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what's next? ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms... if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am...’ John chapter 14 verses 1-3
And Jesus promised we would never have to be alone: ‘I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth.’ John chapter 14 verses 16-17
In the mud and gore of trench warfare, many soldiers longed to be home with their families. But they were comforted by knowing God’s love and the certainty of a heavenly home with ‘no more death or sadness’. In the silence, ask for God’s help to explore life’s biggest question: ‘Where am I going? What’s next?’
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welcome home J esus said ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’
matthew chapter 11 verse 28
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here’s what paul, one of Jesus’s first followers, said about the love of Jesus. ‘Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
‘...No, despite all these things ... I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
‘No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ romans chapter 8 verses 35-39
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to explore these issues further visit: www.christianity.org.uk
love conquers T
his prayer written by the Apostle paul is as relevant for us today as it was for the first Christians: ‘I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God’s people, may have the power to understand how broad and
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Bible verses
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long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. Yes, may you come to know his love – although it can never be fully known – and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.’ ephesians chapter 3 verses 17-19
references 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
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photos
Words attributed to John maxwell edmonds (1875-1958) laurence Binyon’s poem for the fallen first printed in The Times on 21 september 1914 the liturgical Commission of the Church of england 2018, © the Archbishops’ Council. www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/ last_tommy_gallery_02.shtml Running Into No Man’s Land: The Wisdom Of Woodbine Willie by Jonathan Brant (CWr, 2014) Edith Cavell: Faith Before the Firing Squad by Catherine Butcher (monarch Books, 2015)
new international version (niv) holy Bible, new international version®, niv® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, inc.® used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. new international reader's version (nirv®) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, inc.®. used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Contemporary english version (Cev) Copyright © 1995 by American Bible society the message (msg) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by eugene h. peterson good news translation (gnt) Copyright © 1992 by American Bible society
silence...... WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
AND NOW THESE THREE REMAIN: FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE. BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 13, VERSE 13