Local

We pray for all who are traveling, may the travel be safe, may it be a time of seeing you in action in new places and people and may it be one where they come back refreshed.

We pray for all who are going through treatment for Cancer, or other health issues, we pray for their doctors and specialists, their nurses and carers. In particular we pray for Michael, Cameron, Peter.

We pray for our health professionals, for those working in testing sites, for our hospitals, for all involved in looking after the vulnerable.

We pray for all who are experiencing COVID at this time, for all in isolation, for all experiencing fear and anxiety and for those caring for friends or family with COVID.

World

This week we join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

We are thankful for:

• the ancient cultures and religions that have been sustained in this area for millennia
• those who continue to pursue peace in the midst of ethnic strife and terrorism
• the faithfulness of Muslims in expressing their faith and working with others 
• Christians who practice their faith even when they are a small, often discriminated minority.

We pray for:

• women and others in these countries who are deprived of basic freedoms and human dignity
• those who misuse or exploit religious identity for extremist political ends
• the wise use of the benefits of oil and other natural resources for the sake of all
• the emergence of stable democratic societies based on the rule of law, social justice, and respect for religious and other freedoms.

Continue praying with the WCC by engaging with their weekly prayer cycle here

Local

We pray for all experiencing treatment for Cancer, this week we think particularly of Michael and Cameron. We pray for your presence, peace, love, hope and joy. We pray for healing where possible and for your arms to embrace them this week.

We pray for all traveling, seeing family for the first time for a while, camping, travelling overseas or interstate, for those on bikes, in cars, on feet and in flight. We pray for their safety and that the time is blessed.

We pray for the community of Gungahlin over January, may the new year see neighbours loved, peace reigning, understanding shared and hope renewed.

We pray for our new Church Council, for Jenelle, Bronwyn, Elizabeth, Bruce, Sue, John and Lynne. We pray for the process to bring a new ministry agent to Gungahlin UCA, and for all involved. May your vision guide us and voice call us.

National

We join with the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia as we pray for

• The Devonport community. We pray for the families and friends of the children who died, their classmates, emergency workers who responded and all those providing care for the community. 
• The people of the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Rai which killed more than 300 people. We pray for those mourning lives lost and families who have been displaced or left without food and water. 
• Uniting Church communities of faith and all Christians who will celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. We pray we will be united in and transformed by God’s hope, peace, joy and love. 

World

This week we join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan

We give thanks for:

• the distinctive temples, art and cultures in the region
• the education and economic developments that have improved the lives of many in Japan and South Korea
• how the council of churches in Japan has promoted reconciliation with the rest of Asia
• the prophetic witness of Christians in Japan and South Korea
• the persistent witness to justice for “comfort women” from the Second World War
• the great religious tolerance exhibited by the Taiwanese and their pioneering of contextual theological education
• the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, which with others has sought to reunify Korea, to defend human rights, and to work for peace and justice.

We pray for:

• an end to repression of people and to threats of military confrontation, especially on the Korean peninsula
• the reunification of Korea, that peace and justice might prevail
• peaceful resolution of the many disputed claims to islands in the South China Sea by Taiwan and its neighbours and for greater understanding and cooperation between Taiwan and mainland China.
• women and other marginalized groups, and the inequalities they experience
• greater acceptance of immigrants that they might make a positive contribution
• new hope and meaning for the young, amid pressures of competition and consumerism.

We continue to pray with and for the world with the World Council of Churches here using their prayer cycle resources

Local

We give thanks for all the work our schools have put into teaching and supporting students over th last year. We pray that, as their teaching year comes to an end they find time to refresh before a new year begins with new challenges and new students.

We pray for all who are travelling over the Christmas season, for safe roads, safe airways, safe waterways, safe cycle tracks and safe hiking tracks. Be with all who are travelling.

We pray for the churches in Gungahlin, for their ministry agents and leaders.

Regional

We join with the Canberra Region Presbytery of the UCA as we pray for our Emergency Services and Disaster Recovery Chaplains

• We pray for all those workers who continue offer protection, healing, hope and service when disasters happen across country.
• We give thanks for the SES volunteers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, paramedics, rescue services, and others who regularly put their own wellbeing on the line for the sake of others.
• We pray for disaster recovery chaplains, hospital and military chaplains who care for the professionals and communities affected by all sorts of disasters and emergencies every day.
• We remember in our prayers those currently impacted by flood waters, still displaced by bushfire, still waiting for restoration after damaging hail, and all of us deeply impacted by the pandemic.
• We pray for healing and restoration, care and compassion, rest, and recovery after a particularly disaster-heavy few years.
• As we approach advent, we pray that the reality of God with Us in Jesus may continue to spread peace and goodwill – even (and especially) in times when these things seem far away.

National

We join with the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia as we pray for

• Those impacted by the latest outbreaks of COVID-19 in the community, including those who are ill, health workers and others caring for them, and those who will need to isolate over the Christmas period.
• Vaccine equity across the world and for more ambitious investment in programs to deliver vaccines in low income countries.
• Our church partners across the Pacific, Africa and Asia who are working to break the cycle of poverty, create gender equity, enact climate justice and respond to disasters.

World

This week we join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for China, Hong Kong, Macau.

We give thanks for:

• the long and complex history of China, with its many artefacts, cultures and traditions that have developed over millennia
• those who established missions and churches in the past, and the determination of Chinese Christians to contextualize the church here and now
• those who boldly live out their faith, challenging injustices even when they fear persecution
• the economic growth and development that have lifted many out of poverty
• the steps China is taking to counter huge environmental challenges.

We pray for:

• those left behind and further marginalized by rising economic growth, especially women and peasants in rural areas
• the political and social tensions between the mainland of China and Hong Kong and the rest of the world
• a growth in prophetic witness of the Chinese church in society
• spiritual meaning and freedom from captivity to economic growth and consumerism.

We continue to pray with the WCC and the wider church by joining with their prayer cycle in praying the prayers on their website

Local

As the school year comes to an end we pray for all the students, teachers, executives and staff of the schools in and around Gungahlin. In particular we pray for the year ten students preparing to move to college next year and for the teachers who have cared for, inspired and encouraged them over the years.

We pray for all moving home, we especially hold Pauline in our prayers.

We pray for the staff, volunteers and clients of the food pantry, we give thanks for its ministry and pray you continue to challenge us to find new ways to connect with the community around us.

We give thanks for the leadership of the Boys and Girls Brigades over the year, for the way they’ve continued to care for, encourage and inspire the young people in the brigade. We hold Wayne, Miranda and their family in our prayers as they finish with the brigade and prepare to move. We pray that new leaders may find themselves called to serve as a part of the ministries.

National

We join in prayer with the National Assembly of the UCA as we pray for:

• A generous and compassionate response to the millions of displaced Afghan refugees living in fear and insecurity. 
• The Christian community in Syria and Lebanon, the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon and all those mourning the loss of Rev Dr Salim Sahyouni.
• Leaders of worship and faith formation across our Church who are guiding us prayerfully through the Advent season and who are busily preparing for the joyful worship of the Christmas season. 

World

We join in prayer with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam

We are thankful for:

• those who have remained in these countries through years of conflict and oppression
• Christians who bear witness in the region even though they are small in number
• the many who have provided for humanitarian assistance and peace-building
• refugees from these countries who are enriching the societies in which they now have made their home.

We pray for:

• those who continue to bear physical and emotional scars from years of conflict
• victims of monsoons and other disasters in the region
• economic development to improve life for all people and the environment
• political stability amid competing powers.

We continue praying with the World Council of Churches by participating in their weekly prayer cycle and praying with the rest of the world.

Local

This week we think locally and pray

For all students coming to the end of their year, for those completing exams, assignments and assessments. Give them peace, surround them with support.

For all teachers coming to the end of the year, bring them peace as they finalise reports and come to the conclusion of a very challenging year

For all Doctors, Nurses and health professionals, for all working in our hospital system, we hold them all in our prayers this week. News of a new variant might bring with it new stresses and anxiety. Give them courage, strength and support.

For all journeying through cancer treatment, for their loved ones and those supporting them in this time.

Regional

We join in prayer with the Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for the Eden congregation

• We pray for the church council of Eden Uniting Church.
• We pray for Rev Michael Palmer as he serves in ministry.
• We pray for the mission and ministries of Eden UnitingChurch.
• We give thanks for the witness of Eden Uniting to thesurrounding community.

National

We join in prayer with the National Assembly of the UCA as we pray for

• People working to respond to and manage the latest COVID variant, for those sick with the virus and all those experiencing fear and anxiety. 
• The people of the Solomon Islands in the wake of unrest in the capital city, Honiara. We pray for a peaceful resolution. 
• Those across the world who are taking a stand against gender-based violence. 

World

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Myanmar, Thailand

We give thanks for:

• the beauty of these countries and their people, and their many distinctive Buddhist temples
• those who long have struggled that these countries might become more democratic
• the faithful witness of churches, which have advocated with others for greater justice
• efforts to protect the environment and resources in these countries.

We pray for:

• minority ethnic and religious groups who continue to experience discrimination, persecution or even genocide (such as the Rohingyas), and for greater interfaith understanding and tolerance for ethnic and religious diversity
• those victimized by sex tourism and exploitation, and those who perpetuate such acts
• political stability and progress toward democratic rule
• economic justice for all people, and environmental protection, as these countries undergo development.

Continue praying with the WCC by joining their prayer cycle and using the prayer resources here