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

Local

This week, as the world celebrates Love Your Book Shop Day we pray for all the places where we can access books. We pray for the book shops in Gungahlin, the last couple of years have been hard for small businesses and we pray for those who continue to sell books. We also hold our libraries in our prayers, for the librarians and those who help us all have access to stories of fantasy, science fiction, children’s literature, biography, adventure, science, history, literature.

We hold the world’s authors and illustrators in our prayers, for the stories they invite us into, the worlds they create, the dreams they inspire and the food they teach us to cook.

We pray for Maissa, Keith, Allan, Michael, Peter, Cameron.

We pray for the teachers and students of Gungahlin, of Canberra as they come to the completion of their first day of school for this final term of the year.

We pray for the Boys and Girls Brigades, in particular for their leaders as they continue to care for and lead the members of the brigades as they meet online, and prepare for possible face to face gatherings later in the year.

We pray for the Korean Salim Congregation and their ministry to the community of Gungahlin at this time.

Regional

This week we join with the Presbytery of Canberra Region as we pray for the Mt Dromedary Parish

• Thanks that we have all been kept safe and well during the unprecedented events of our recent past and the opportunity to find new ways to worship.
• Thanks that despite waning numbers our church folk remain resilient, supportive, and prayerful. God is very much with us.
• For support of the behind the scenes workers who keep our Parish functioning.
• For strength, wisdom and compassion as we deal with policies which will exclude unvaccinated people from our outreach programs.
• For progress in filling the Community Chaplaincy position in our Parish.

National

This week we pray with the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia as we pray for

• The Uniting Church in its commitment to act on the climate crisis and shape a better future for our planet.
• The discernment of Uniting Church communities impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns that are beginning to consider ways they might gather in person again. 
• Members of the Northern Synod who are meeting in Darwin this week.

World

This week we join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for the world, in particular for Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela

We are thankful for:

• the beauty in these countries, including in their people and cultural traditions

• persistent, patient, prophetic work of churches and ecumenical and other organizations, to establish peace with justice throughout the region, especially in Colombia
• resistance to past colonization, and to practices of today that prioritize economic ideologies over the needs of the people
• efforts by churches and people of goodwill for inclusive and respectful relations in society and government.

We pray for:

• the continued pursuit of peace in Colombia, the fulfilment of agreements reached, the reintegration of insurgents into society, broad and inclusive dialogue for justice, and fair compensation of those victimized by conflict 
• the strengthening of democratically elected governments in the region, without pressure from outside interests
• greater respect for the human rights of all, especially vulnerable populations and those who work for the wellbeing of others and of the environment
• an end to the corruption in these societies, and to unsustainable exploitation of their resources.

Continue to pray with the WCC by praying the prayers in their Prayer Cycle

Local

• For those journeying with illness and undergoing medical treatment, in particular those undergoing cancer treatment and those entering the end stages of life at this time. Where it’s possible we pray for healing, in all cases we pray for your peace, presence and warm embrace to be known.
• For the Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade. For the leaders that support the ministry and care for the young people involved. We pray for young people’s spiritual and personal growth, that their sense of call and connection to god continues to be supported. We give thanks for the ways they’ve continued to build and support the community during lockdown.
• For the Gungahlin UCA Playgroup and the families who have formed community around it, especially for families who struggle with money and support, may we be able to continue to provide a welcoming place where they find community and care. For the parents and kids, may they find a place of joy and wonder as they play together.
• For the continued ministry of the food pantry, its management team and the community of volunteers who support it.
• We continue to pray for the staff, teachers, students and families of the schools in the ACT, in particular the schools in Gungahlin who are teaching online this term. It’s a very stressful time and we give thanks for the work the teachers are putting in to support students and families in this time and pray that they find space to rest over the coming holiday period.
• For the congregation, and the church council as they begin the process of developing a profile, discerning vision and preparing to call a new ministry agent into the congregation.

Regional

We join in prayer with the Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for Weston Creek Uniting Church

• Pray for the wellbeing of all in our Congregation and the wider community in these challenging times, particularly those at higher risk, those anxious to return to normal life and those dealing with health issues, grief, hardships, and other challenges that life brings their way.
• Give thanks for the continued involvement of our members in Ministry and Mission within and beyond our Church, especially those who are working hard to provide worship resources and support for members of the congregation at this time.
• Pray also as we seek to move forward and return to face to face worship.
• Pray for those unable to join in on-line services.
• Pray for those around the world who continue to live in difficultcircumstances and for those who seek to help and support them.

National

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

• Peace with creation, with each other and in our global community. May those who are damaged by war and trauma know welcome, healing and justice.
• Those engaged in acts of care and compassion for the most vulnerable in our community right now.
• Rev Mark Kickett, the National Interim Chair of UAICC, and all our Congress leaders engaged in ministry, growing faith and leadership and working for justice and healing. 

World

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru

We are thankful for:

• the distinctive rhythms, music, dance, food and natural medicine in this area
• the beauty of the region, forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, and ocean coastlines, and especially indigenous peoples’ relationship with, and care for, the natural environment
• churches who witness and work both ecumenically and with those of other faiths to build relationships of trust and commitment amid ongoing injustice and oppression
• the diversity of languages and cultures flourishing in the region despite disruptions that have occurred through colonization, and political and economic turmoil.

We pray for:

• Christians to have the courage, imagination and energy to build bridges of peace and understanding against conflict and division, and to pursue justice for the poor, marginalized and dispossessed
• an end of corruption in all levels of the society, including economic exploitation which impoverishes and hinders economic growth from benefitting all.
• immigrants and refugees seeking a new home, and those who accompany and support them
• coca farmers to find sustainable incomes from other crops, for an end to drug trafficking, and effective assistance for those who are addicted.

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

Local & Regional

Our local and regional prayers are combined this week as the Presbytery’s Prayer Points this week are focussed on Gungahlin Uniting Church.

We add to these prayers a specific prayer for Cameron and Rob and Suzy over the coming fortnight.

We join with the Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray…

• For those journeying with illness and undergoing medical treatment, in particular those undergoing cancer treatment and those entering the end stages of life at this time. Where it’s possible we pray for healing, in all cases we pray for your peace, presence and warm embrace to be known.
• For the Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade. For the leaders that support the ministry and care for the young people involved. We pray for young people’s spiritual and personal growth, that their sense of call and connection to god continues to be supported. We give thanks for the ways they’ve continued to build and support the community during lockdown.
• For the Gungahlin UCA Playgroup and the families who have formed community around it, especially for families who struggle with money and support, may we be able to continue to provide a welcoming place where they find community and care. For the parents and kids, may they find a place of joy and wonder as they play together.
• For the continued ministry of the food pantry, its management team and the community of volunteers who support it.
• We continue to pray for the staff, teachers, students and families of the schools in the ACT, in particular the schools in Gungahlin who are teaching online this term. It’s a very stressful time and we give thanks for the work the teachers are putting in to support students and families in this time and pray that they find space to rest over the coming holiday period.
• For the congregation, and the church council as they begin the process of developing a profile, discerning vision and preparing to call a new ministry agent into the congregation.
• For Darren & Holly Wright and family as they discern God’s continued call on their lives as they prepare to leave Gungahlin UCA in 2022.
• Finally, Gungahlin, like many congregations have said goodbye to a number of beloved people recently and we invite the Canberra Region Presbytery to hold the families, friends and loved ones who are grieving across the CRP in our prayers.

National

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

• The Synod of WA following its 45th Meeting that took place on the weekend and Rev Dr Andrew Williams who was appointed General Secretary from January 2022. 
• Those feeling the strain of lockdown, those struggling economically and those who are sick with COVID-19. We give thanks to our healthcare workers and those who are reaching out to care for the most vulnerable right now. 
• Equitable access to vaccines to ensure all in our community are safe. 

World

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

We are thankful for:

• individuals, churches and other organizations who remain committed to seeking healing, justice and truth 
• the furthering of human rights and democratic institutions 
• the ways in which those of different faiths and ethnicities are working together for the common good and for the needs of people and creation
• how churches, from out of what people are experiencing, have led global ecumenical work for an economy that serves life.

We pray for:

• greater respect for Indigenous people and greater acceptance of all peoples across bounds of ethnicity and religion
• ghe protection of children from violence and abuse, and recognition of their rights and dignity
• effective help and empowerment for those who live in poverty and other marginalizing situations
• those who protect and care for the region’s threatened soil, forests, waters, glaciers
• truth and justice in continuing investigations to find those responsible for crimes against humanity, and continued healing for those affected
• economic development that benefits all and effectively addresses the systemic factors that impede it.

Continue praying with the World Council of Churches by engaging with their Prayer Cycle and their weekly prayer resources here