Prayers in the Time of War and Tumult


I have been thinking about the suicide bombings in Istanbul, Turkey. I spent 2 years in Turkey from 1981-83, at an Airbase close to Adana (not far from Tarsus). I was converted there, baptized there, and cut my teeth on the Bible there. So what happens in Turkey has a personal interest for me. But also what has happened there is happening in other places, destroying other lives, harming other communities. And so, in this regard, I draw your attention to three prayers, the first two are from the Book of Common Prayer-1928 and the last one from the Book of Common Worship-1993:

In the time of war and tumults 
O ALMIGHTY God, King of all kings, and Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to those who truly repent; Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech thee, from the hands of our enemies; abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices; that we, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, who art the only giver of all victory; through the merits of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

On behalf of our broken, bludgeoned and bleeding world
O SAVIOUR of the world, who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us, Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.

And this
O God our defender, storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us all from unbelief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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