REFLECTION: CHERYL LACEY - 11 NOVEMBER 2020
Percival Nicholas served in Egypt and Europe during the Great War. At the end of the WW1 he returned to Australia a broken man – the darkness of combat haunting him until his death.
Joseph William served in New Guinea during the second world war. At the end of WW2 he returned to Melbourne safe and well.
These two Australian soldiers serving in two different wars never met. They never did shake hands or share a war story over a beer or a cuppa. They did, however, share in the making of the future.
Joseph William was my mother’s father. Percival Nicholas was my father’s father.
All the world’s heroes are leading lights who give everything they can for everything they value - mateship, fairness, responsible freedom, peace, healing and family.
There is a hero in us all.
I’d now like to share a passage from a book that survived the Great War - A Prayer Book for The Forces – owned, treasured and brought safely home by my grandfather Private Percival Nicholas Lacey.
Prayer for Victory
Almighty Father, we pray Thee, give us victory. We fight that justice may be done: that Thy will may be done. Drive from us all evil desires and thoughts that we may be worthy to find favour in Thy sight.
For if Thou art against us these will not avail us anything. But if Thou art with us, even if the enemy be ten to one, we shall conquer.
We do not trust in our own strength, in our guns or courage or strength of arm.
We offer to Thee our bodies, our lives. It is better to die now in Thy grace than to live many years and die apart from Thee.
The Lord's Prayer
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.
Amen
