2026 LCANZ ANZAC Day message

The ANZAC spirit

The so-called ‘ANZAC spirit’ originates from heroic exploits arising from campaigns like the one fought at Gallipoli in World War I. In the worst possible circumstances, ordinary men and women displayed acts of courage, endurance and self-sacrifice. Many paid the ultimate price with their lives.

As Christians, we make the obvious comparison with the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross. The Easter event always occurs close to ANZAC Day on the calendar, further ensuring the likelihood of making this comparison.

On the night before Jesus went into battle for us on the cross, he said: ‘Greater love has no-one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ (John 15:13).

But is that true?

I don’t know many people in our armed forces. Not many of them would consider me to be their friend. And yet, plenty of men and women in our armed forces – and in emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance – have risked and continue to risk their lives for countless people like me and you.

I wonder if theirs is a greater love and sacrifice than that shown for a friend! Possibly. But it made me think a little more about these words of Jesus.

I can understand him going to the cross for his close followers – the ones he had broken bread with and done life with. It makes sense to sacrifice yourself for those who mean the most to you – your family and friends.

The greater love Jesus is suggesting here, though, is that he counts people like you and me as his friends. He laid down his life for us. His death on the cross was for us.

And the beauty of the Easter resurrection is that Jesus lives now to now break bread with us and to do life with us. Jesus lives to befriend us.

We thank God for those who serve our community in the armed forces and through our emergency services. We thank God for the friendship they demonstrate to many people they will never meet or know by name.

And we thank God for the great love he has shown to us through Jesus. He does know us each by name, and he laid down his life for us, his friends.

A prayer for Anzac Day Commemoration

Dear Jesus, you laid down your life so that we might live. We remember those who have died serving in our armed forces. We pray for protection on those currently serving in our armed forces. Bring peace to our world and lead us all to work for peace in our lives. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

National Anthems of New Zealand and Australia

New Zealand / Aotearoa anthem

E Ihowā Atua,
O ngā iwi mātou rā
Āta whakarangona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa

God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific’s triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

Australian anthem

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Watch Assistant Bishop Stephen’s ANZAC Day Facebook message here