Local

We pray for the team working towards opening the Food Pantry on the 11th of November. We pray for the Food Pantry Management Team, the many volunteers and for Alison over the coming weeks.

We pray for all who hire space in the building, as they come out of lockdown we pray that they are able to return to operation smoothly.

We pray for those who have been nominated for Church Council in 2021/2, may they feel the blessing and affirmation of the community. We give thanks for the Church Council of 2020/1 and all the work they’ve done to lead the church through the pandemic.

We continue to pray for the teachers, staff, students and families of the many schools in Gungahlin as they move back to being fully operational. We pray this time is one of blessing and joy as they reconnect. We hold those facing exams in our prayers, may they feel relaxed and ready for the challenges ahead.

Regional

We join with the Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for the Braidwood Uniting Church

• Thankfulness for a wonderful season for those on the land. Creation is singing of the glory of God.
• Thankfulness for the new families who have become a part of the congregation. God is building His Church.
• Thankfulness for the influence of “Radio Church” each Sunday evening on 88.9fm. Bringing connection in distance.
• Guidance and wisdom for the congregation as we bring our mission plan into action.

National

We join with the National Assembly of the Uca as we pray for:

• Courage, compassion and collaboration from global leaders attending the COP26 meeting from this weekend. For a shared commitment to act together on the climate crisis.
• Our Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle and its work to grow relationships, listen and learn to First Peoples and to raise voices for justice and truth-telling.
• Faithful disciples who have gone before us, and all those who have carried our traditions and taught us faith, as we celebrate All Saints Day on 1 November. 

World

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Canada, United States of America

We are thankful for:

• the vast expanse of North America with its resources and varied landscapes; may they be preserved, enjoyed and used wisely
• those who were its original inhabitants – First Nations and Native Americans
• church-related organizations that strongly advocate for justice, and those that provide for new immigrants and refugees today, as well as for others who are poor and vulnerable
• ecumenical and interfaith engagements which are occurring in many communities that previously were mainly white and Christian.

We pray for:

• churches facing new challenges, that they may continue to witness boldly to the gospel in evolving multicultural, multireligious and secular contexts
•  indigenous peoples in their long struggles for survival, land and rights; and for ongoing healing and reconciliation with those who have come after them
• new immigrants, that they will continue to be welcomed in these countries, and that policies will serve the common good
• effectively countering systemic greed that exploits communities and natural resources
• government leaders that they would advance justice, human rights, and peace for all within these countries and in the rest of the world.

Continue praying with the WCC Prayer Cycle and using their amazing prayer resources here

Local

We pray for our schools and students, some of who are returning to learning on site at the school for the first time since lockdown. We pray for their teachers, the staff of the schools and the executives. We hold the teachers in our midst in prayer and pray for Kat, Holly, Jenelle.

We pray for our health professionals, for all working in hospitals, Covid test sites, vaccination centres, for people working in Cancer wards and ICU, for those helping bring newborns into the world and those helping people prepare for the end of their lives. For paramedics, nurses, doctors, surgeons, social workers, specialists, cleaners, administrators, admin workers…. we pray.

Regional

We join in prayer with he Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for the Presbytery Ministers Retreat being held this week.

• We give thanks for the ministers, pastors, chaplains and office bearers who serve in various contexts all across the Canberra Region Presbytery.
• We pray for Rev Penny Jones as she leads the retreat via Zoom.
• We pray that this retreat may be a time of renewal and refreshment for all who attend.

National

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

• People escaping family violence and for the work of UnitingCare agencies as they roll out a new program that will support women, children and families to leave abusive situations. 
• Survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and their families, we acknowledge and lament the complicity of the church and pray for healing.
• The Act2 Conversation as it enters a new phase – for the leading of the Spirit to guide discernment and discussion about the future of the Uniting Church. 
• Lebanon and the Lebanese community in Australia

World

We join with the World Council of Churches Prayer Cycle as we pray for The Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago

We are thankful for:

• the natural beauty, climate, and distinctive cultural practices of these islands
• how churches have responded to disasters and served all in need
• how liberation from colonialism and oppression has been pursued through music, words and actions
• the leaders of the ecumenical movement who have come from this region.

We pray for:

• those devastated by disasters, that their lives, communities and eco-systems might be rebuilt
• the strengthening of all who faithfully witness through word and deed to the gospel
• all those affected by crime and addictions
• good governance and smooth transitions between political leaders.

Continue to pray using the resources of the WCC Prayer Cycle here

Local

This week

We pray for the teachers and staff of our schools who are preparing to return to teaching their students on site. We give thanks for their passion, dedication and gifts.

We pray for our congregation as they nominate people to Church Council

We pray for the ministries of GUC as they start to prepare to return to on site operations. For the Playgroup and all the families connected to it, for the ministry of the Food Pantry and the other ministries of GUC at this time.

We pray for Katrina’s Dad, in hospital and for their family at this time. We also continue to hold in our prayers Cameron, Michael, Keith, Allen, Rob & Suzy.

Regional

We join with the Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for the Bega – Tathra Uniting Church

• We give thanks for the continuing worship and witness of this congregation in their local context.
• We pray for the leadership of this congregation as they discern God’s will and future directions for their mission.
• We pray for those in this region who are unwell, grieving or anxious.
• We thank God for calling God’s church to serve in Bega and Tathra.

National

We join with the National Assembly of the UCA as we pray

• The people of Lebanon as they struggle with extended power blackouts, a failing economy and as they continue to support Syrian refugees who have arrived there. We also pray for the Lebanese community in Australia and UCA members who are supporting their families and communities in Lebanon.
• Communities in Australia as they emerge from lockdown and churches as they discern ways to re-open their buildings. 
• The work of UnitingWorld and our church partners who are supporting communities facing disaster and the impact of COVID-19. 

World

We join with the World Council of Churches Prayer Cycle as we pray for Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico

We are thankful for:

• the cultures and foods distinctive here, yet enjoyed around the world
• indigenous and other groups who have resisted injustice and human rights violations
• church leaders who have spoken out and acted on behalf of the poor and marginalized
• developments that improve life for all, while also caring for the environment.

We pray for:

• stable, democratically elected governments committed to the peace and wellbeing of all
• comfort and healing for the families and loved ones of those who have been killed or disappeared, and for those responsible to be brought to justice
• stopping corruption, drug traffic, and violence, and those who profit from such activities
• improved economic life and trade policies so that people will not be exploited and can pursue livelihoods in these countries rather than migrating elsewhere for work.

Continue praying with the World Council of Churches by joining the Prayer Cycle