Posted Thursday 04 October 2007
The Right Reverend Brian Smith, Bishop of Edinburgh, led the Bidding Prayer at this year's National Police Memorial Day Service, which took place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Sunday 30 September.
National Police Memorial Day aims to: remember police officers who have been killed or died on duty; demonstrate to relatives, friends and colleagues of fallen officers that their sacrifice is not forgotten; recognize annually the dedication to duty and courage displayed by police officers.
Following the opening of the service by the Lord Advocate of Edinburgh the Bishop led the Bidding Prayer:
"We meet here today, to honour men and women of our police service, who gave their lives in the service of their country. We hold them before God, with thanksgiving for the sacrifice they made.
"We meet here today - families who have been bereaved, and who mourn the loss of loved ones.
"We meet here today - colleagues, who know the risk to life involved in police work, and who mourn the loss of friends.
"We meet here today - persons from all sections of our community, who wish to honour all that is given to us by members of our police service, and who stand here in humble gratitude.
"Almighty God, on the night before he himself died, Jesus Christ said, 'No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.'
"Be with us, as we honour those who died in your service.
"To his disciples, Jesus said, 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.'
"Be with us, as we grieve, and as we seek to support each other in our sorrow.
"Through the prophet Isaiah we have heard the words, 'Maintain justice and do what is right.'
"Be with us, as together we commit ourselves to work, so that the values of justice, mutual help, and generosity of spirit, may prevail and give strength to the life of our community.
"Hear this, our prayer, as we say together:
"'Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.'"
