On 9 November, in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday, a half day of prayer was held for the Armed Forces at Holy Trinity Brompton in Knightsbridge, London.

The event was hosted by ‘Alpha for Forces’ and headed up by Major General Tim Cross, President of the Armed Forces’ Christian Union, and the Rev David Wilkes, Chaplain-General of HM Land Forces.
Amongst the 250 delegates were a large number of chaplains and serving personnel from across the Services and their dependants, plus representatives from 11 of the many Christian organisations which work daily in support of the Armed Forces and their families.
The day was opened by Bishop Sandy Millar and General Cross, who said:

‘Those of you who know your military history well will know that in times of trouble this nation often had days of prayer. As a nation we’ve tended, I think, to have lost that habit and I am really grateful to Holy Trinity Brompton for their lead in pulling today together.

As we stand here around 50% of the Army has either just been engaged with, or is about to be engaged with, or is actually engaged with operations around the world.’

General Cross provided an update on key areas of strain in the military which the delegates then prayed about. Particular areas of concern were for the safety of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, and for their families back home. He noted that: ‘There are many wives here today….and I would love us to pray for our wives, for our families and for our children.’

Rev David Wilkes also spoke about the challenges facing the chaplaincy and prayers were said on their behalf.

The various Christian organisations which support the Armed Forces had an opportunity to give a brief presentation on their work. These included:

• Accts Military Ministries International (Accts MMI)
• Alpha for Forces (A4F)
• Armed Forces’ Christian Union (AFCU)
• Cornelius Trust
• Naval Christian Fellowship (NCF)
• Naval, Military and Air Force Bible Society (NM&AFBS)
• Mission to Military Garrisons (MMG)
• Royal Sailors’ Rest (RSR)
• SANDES Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Centres (SANDES)
• Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association (SASRA)
• The Salvation Army

Quotes from delegates included:

• Rev Duncan Weaver, an Army Chaplain, said: ‘I thought it was a brilliant time together and a real encouragement to all of the people who came with me.’

• Surg Lt Cdr James Harrison, a trustee from the NCF who spoke on their behalf, commented afterwards: ‘I found it an education as well as a deeply moving spiritual experience.’

• A serving soldier from the Special Forces who attended commented: ‘It was great to do and the first time in 9 years of service that I have been to an event that specifically lifted our Armed Forces in prayer.’

Given the encouraging response to this event and the positive comments from everyone concerned, the organisers plan to lay on a similar event next year. In the meantime all those who attended will continue to lift our Armed Forces in prayer and support our Servicemen and women, together with their families.