Today, the family of the late Sir David Amess, together with Members of Parliament and other invited guests, will gather at St Mary’s Church, Prittlewell, just a few hundred yards from where I grew up, to remember and give thanks for the life of Sir David Amess. I never knew Sir David, and, to my shame, I’d always superficially viewed him through the narrow prism of party politics, assuming I knew pretty much what he stood for. I couldn’t have been more wrong, as I swiftly came to realise after his tragic recent murder, when it became clear what a colossus he had been in the political world; what a committed, principled, unselfish and diligent public servant. He was a man, too, of deep faith and conviction, but whatever his beliefs – and no doubt he and I would have disagreed on various issues – he was always ready not just listen to others, but to serve them as well. At a time when the words ‘sleaze’ and ‘corruption’ are sadly once again becoming all too familiar, the name, example and work of Sir David Amess stands out as a beacon of light, cruelly and too soon snuffed out.
Lord God,
we remember today,
with thanksgiving and respect,
the Member of Parliament, David Amess.
We remember his wife and family,
who continue to mourn his tragic loss so deeply,
their happiness shattered,
their world turned upside down.
And we pray for all those whose lives have been,
in numerous ways,
profoundly affected by his brutal murder.
We give thanks for Sir David’s life and faith,
for his long and faithful career as an MP,
for his passionate advocacy of a host of people and causes,
for his tireless work on behalf of his constituency, Southend-on-Sea,
and above all for his integrity,
his principled service,
the way he strove so faithfully to live up to the trust placed in him.
We give thanks for the way Sir David put his faith into practice –
for the compassion he showed,
the time he gave,
the support he offered,
the concern he exhibited:
the way he so clearly demonstrated what he believed,
making it real in daily life.
We pray also for politicians everywhere,
in this country and beyond.
Support, guide and enable them,
and, most of all, in this divided world,
where too many are ready to resort to threats, intimidation and violence,
or believe they have the right to silence those they disagree with,
we ask you to watch over them and defend them from evil,
helping them to find ways to continue to serve their electorate effectively …
but safely.
For a life well lived, we give thanks today.
For a life lost, we mourn.
For lives changed by Sir David’s work, we rejoice.
For those in public life,
and for the life of our nation,
we seek your blessing,
your guidance,
and your protection,
this day and always.
Amen.