We believe God made this world,
God loves this world, God lives in this world.
We believe God holds it and cradles it in loving hands:
holding its pain,
caring for every memory of every person in conflict.

We believe God loves each human being,
on every side of every struggle,
who has given of themselves,
even to death,
for their friends and family and country.

We believe violence breaks Gods heart;
bullets tear through Gods realm;
and war opposes Gods love.
But we believe love lives longer than hatred;
hope burns away at despair;
God calls to us from the violence,
and we can work in love for a better world.
So be it.
(seasons of the spirit)

Prayer
Lord on this Remembrance Day we pray for peace in our world, we long for an end to all war, conflict and suffering. We feel helpless in these days and our hearts break in sadness and sorrow at our broken world.

We pray for all those who grieve the loss of loved ones lost in war and conflict, on this day of public remembering give them strength to remember with thanksgiving and hope for a better world.

Holy Spirit sweep the lands, turn hatred to love, sorrow to dancing and despair to hope. Help us all to live together with our difference and celebrate diversity. Help us to be peacemakers in our own homes, our own communities.

As we wear our poppies today, symbols of hope in our brokenness, we reflect on the Christian symbol of the cross, where our saviour gave his life for our freedom. To live in freedom within ourselves and the world is a longing of every heart. Lord give us the courage to live out the sacrifice of Christ and the countless lives lost in battle, may peace begin with us.
Amen