Mediation: ‘For the sake of another’

I have known about Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile since I was a child, but only recently, when a colleague shared a video clip of Bannister narrating the actual run in May 1954, did I realise the profound image of teamwork and sacrifice in that historic event.

Bannister did not run alone in 1954. There were three team members: Chris Chataway, Chris Brasher and, of course, Roger Bannister himself. Chris Brasher started in the lead. An impatient Bannister told him to hurry, but Brasher would not comply with his friend’s demand and kept the pace. At the halfway mark, Chataway overtook Bannister, and Brasher dropped back. Finally, the last 300 yards were all Bannister’s as Chataway also dropped back, and as they say, the rest is history.

We know the name of Bannister, but rarely do we hear of the sacrifice of Brasher and Chataway.

When women and men serve in the military or in support agencies during wartime, they are like Brasher and Chataway. They are often not seen but provide what is needed for their nation to succeed.

As we commemorate Remembrance Day on 11 November, we pause to remember with thanksgiving all those who sacrificed themselves to bring an end to war. Women and men gave of their time. Women and men gave up their dreams and plans for life. Women and men often gave their very lives to get us over the line to peace.

We pray for those who sacrificed so much in so many conflicts, and we seek peace in the name of the Prince of Peace-making, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

WHAT IS OUR FOCUS ON 11 NOVEMBER?

In 1997, the Australian Governor-General, the Honourable Sir William Patrick Deane AC KBE, proclaimed 11 November as Remembrance Day. On this day across Australia, people remember those who gave of themselves in times of war for others. The New Zealand RSA (Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association) reminds the nation of the significance of 11 November, while 25 April is formally established as a public holiday for Anzac Day.

READING: MICAH 4:1–4

In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised up above the hills.
Peoples shall stream to it,
and many nations shall come and say:
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more;
but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees,
and no one shall make them afraid;
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

PRAYERS

Gracious God, we remember before you all New Zealanders and Australians who served in the army, navy and air force during times of war. Make us good stewards of the freedom they won.

Gracious God, we remember before you those of other nations who fought beside them, and those who fought against them for their own countries. Bring us all to the day when nation no longer makes war against nation.

Gracious God, we remember before you those who have been physically or emotionally wounded or disabled by war. Bring healing and peace for body, mind and spirit to all who suffer in this way.

Gracious God, we remember before you the nurses, ambulance officers, orderlies and doctors who eased pain and saved lives. Inspire in us the calling to work for the healing of victims of war.

Gracious God, we remember before you the prisoners of war and those who sheltered and sustained them. Bless the work of the aid agencies in war zones around the world.

Gracious God, we remember before you all those who grieve for loved ones lost in times of war. Comfort all who mourn.

Gracious God, we remember before you the homes, livelihoods and communities destroyed by bombs and gunfire. Have mercy on all who still live in the shadow of war.

Risen Lord and King, Jesus Christ, you laid down your life so that we might live. We remember those who died serving in the armed forces of our nations. Preserve our nations in peace, and in times of war, give your people strength and courage to defend the cause of justice. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

OTHER PRAYER POINTS FOR CONFLICTS AROUND THE WORLD

• Myanmar (internal conflict)
• Russia and Ukraine (war)
• Yemen (civil war)
• Israel and Gaza (war with declared ceasefire)
• Armed conflicts in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan

THE PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

HYMN/SONG: LHS 543

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide,
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless:
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee:
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847)

BLESSING

The peace of the Lord be with us all. 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.

FOR REFLECTION

‘The greater the violence,
the greater hunger for a word of peace.
Not just a word – a witness.
A total life commitment to peace and justice.
A witness in word and deed.
I can think of no higher calling
than to be a witness for peace.’

Rev Munib Younan, in ‘Witnessing for Peace’ (Rev Younan was previously Bishop of Palestine and Jordan in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land)