Local

We pray for the Salim Korean Congregation, for their leadership and the ministry of Rev Hyun Joo La

We pray for the families who are a part of the Playgroup community, that they are able to find support and thrive in this time of lockdown. We look forward to connecting with them as soon as possible.

We pray for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, in particular we hold in our prayers Noel, Narelle and their family & friends, Margaret and her family & friends, Ranjini and her family & friends, Pam and her family & friends.

We hold Cameron in our prayers this week as he prepares for surgery and travels. Continue to surround him and his family with your love, strength and support.

Regional

This week we join with the presbytery of Canberra Region as we pray for the Yass Parish

• Prayer for God’s guidance as we seek to be an effective witness in our community
• We ask for God’s blessing on all members of the congregations as we seek to be a cohesive group as we continue without a ministerial agent.
• Pray for God’s comfort for those who are feeling anxious in the current COVID 19 conditions
• We give thanks for being able to provide services on line; for the commitment of Sue Demoor and Suzie Graham doing the recording and for the teams who plan and present the services.
• We pray that those viewing will be moved by the Holy Spirit

National

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

• The Uniting Church as it discerns and engages in a far-reaching conversation across the church about the future shape of the UCA.
• The Circle of Interest Advocates who begin their work for this triennium inviting people into conversation and connection across key areas in the life of our Church.
• Stuart McMillan on his retirement from ministry with the Church nationally after a long and significant contribution to the life of our Church.

World

This week we join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Ghana, Nigeria

We are thankful for:

• Christians and Muslims who take risks to work for dialogue and reconciliation, and people of disparate ethnic groups who strive together for the common good
• churches who have been faithful in spreading the Good News, serving the people and pursuing justice in these societies
• economic growth from natural resources, where it benefits all people – and especially the poor – in these nations
• how people, especially in Nigeria, have been sustained by God in the face of attacks and violence in the context of the movement of population groups and from extremist elements like Boko Haram.

We pray for:

• those affected by violence and terrorism, and that such violent attacks might cease
• leaders of churches, that they might speak out courageously against political, social and economic injustices
• Just and peaceful relations between members of different ethnic groups and between Muslims and Christians
• Those who suffer from malnutrition and diseases such as malaria, whooping cough and HIV and AIDS
• Better stewardship of the environment and natural resources.

Continue to pray for the world with the World Council of Churches by engaging in their weekly prayer cycle

Local

• We pray for the Church Council as they discern the next steps in discerning ministry to the congregation in the future.
• For Darren, Holly and children as they discern their calling as a family.
• We continue to hold in our prayers those in our community who are grieving the death of loved ones, we hold in our hearts Margaret, Ranjini, Pam, Narelle, Noel and their families.
• We continue to hold in our prayers those who are seeking healing at the moment, in particular for Cameron, Michael, Keith, Allen.

Regional

We join in prayer with the Presbytery of Canberra Region as we pray for Saltbush – Uniting the Scattered Community

• Pray for the ongoing flourishing of Saltbush as it seeks to shape new ways of being Uniting Christian community.
• Pray for the Saltbush team – Mark, Geoff, Tim and Peter.
• Give thanks for the diverse community that is unfolding around Saltbush and for the ways we can encourage and connect each other.
• In prayer ponder what God is calling us to in the Spirit as a wider church in the times in which we find ourselves

National

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

• Family, friends and community members mourning the loss of one of UAICC’s founding members Aunty Lucy Lester. 
• A renewal of our relationship with all people and all of God’s creation and actions that will help heal our scarred planet.
• Those who are working to make our Church a safe place for all people and for all congregations who are taking part in Child Safe Week. 

World

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo

We are thankful for:

• the beauty, natural resources, wildlife and different cultures in these countries
• the produce that small farmers continue to grow amid environmental and other hardships
• the spiritual vitality and growth of the churches and how they are cooperating with each other and those of other faiths and practices
• the relative peace and stability that prevails after long years of civil war and political struggle.

We pray for:

• more democratic governments that are free of corruption and that prioritize what the people most need 
• those working to alleviate the poverty, illiteracy and hunger that so many in these countries still experience
• churches faithfully bringing the gospel to, and serving, all people with greater respect for how those of other faiths express their spirituality
• emotional and physical healing, and restoring hope in people who are victims of conflict, disease and human rights abuses

Continue to pray with the WCC by using their Ecumenical Prayer Cycle resources

Local

We pray for all who are grieving the death of a someone they loved. This week in particular we hold Margaret Reeson and family in our prayers.

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 in this time.

Regional

This week we join with the Presbytery of Canberra Region as we pray for the Canberra Korean Congregation – Reid

1. that every member of the church grows in faith during this difficult time of lock down and Covid situation and look after each other with mature faith,
2. that every member of the church unites and endure in faith in strength while we seek a new minister who will lead our church in the future,
3. that the LORD guides us in every step of finding a new minister, so the church will work and rejoice together.
4. We also pray that LORD have mercy and comfort those suffering and facing persecutions from oppressors and natural disasters.

National

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

• Those doing the urgent work to provide safety and protection for refugees from Afghanistan.
• Members of the Assembly Standing Committee meeting this weekend for the first time since their election at the 16th Assembly meeting. 
• All those who have served and continue to serve on our Church councils and those who are mentoring, equipping and making space for the next generations.

World

We join in prayer with he World Council of Churches as we pray for Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal

We are thankful for:

• the many ways in which these countries have moved beyond their colonial histories, especially the scars related to slave trade
• this area’s distinctive music and cultural practices of storytelling (griots) 
• economic and educational advances that have lifted some out of poverty
• promising transitions into democracy and changes in government leaders
• the persistent, faithful witness of churches in the midst of other faiths.

We pray for:

• those people in these societies who continue to live in abject poverty 
• an end to policies, systems, and cultural practices that continue to exploit and marginalize some groups
• the fair election of more just government leaders who respect the rights of all people
• faith communities witnessing and working together for the common good.

Continue to pray for the world along with the community of the World Council of Churches by joining with their weekly prayer cycle.

Local Prayers

We pray today for the staff of the schools in Gungahlin who are supporting their community in this time, we celebrate the skills and passion of those creating connections for students and support for families in this time.

In particular we hold the staff of the Gold Creek and Harrison Schools as they deal with the complications of a school in quarantine and the stress of the last fortnight. We give thanks for their hard work and pray they are supported and encouraged at this time… and they find space to rest and refresh.

We hold those in our community who are unwell, whether they be in hospital, at home sick, journeying through cancer treatment or struggling with mental health. We pray for healing, for your presence, for your peace and your love at this time. In particular we name Ron & Margaret, Alan, Keith, Michael, Cameron,

Our prayers of Intercession this week was lead by the song “Leaning In” by musician Christopher Grundy

Regional Prayers

This week we join in prayer with he Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for St Columba’s Uniting Church

• We give thanks for the witness and worship of this Congregation.
• We pray for the leadership of this congregation and thank God for their service.
• We ask God’s presence and comfort for this congregation as they face the challenges COVID-19 brings to their people and the surrounding community.
• May God continue to work out God’s kingdom through the mission of this congregation.

National Prayers

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

• The people of Afghanistan and the Afghan community in Australia who seek peace, security and a safe future.
• Defence force personnel and retired veterans who served in Afghanistan.
• All those impacted by COVID-19 here in Australia and across the world as we mark more than 200 million cases globally and 4.4 million deaths. 
• Our leaders navigating the response to the pandemic, health workers caring for the sick and those providing care and support to the most vulnerable. 
• Families and communities engaged in Messy Church in the UCA and beyond.

World

We join in prayer with he World Council of Churches as we pray for Liberia, Sierra Leone

We are thankful for:

• the natural resources in these countries, that they might benefit the peace and welfare of all
• the diverse ethnic and religious groups who long have lived together in peace and harmony, especially the Muslims and Christians in Sierra Leone
• democratic election of leaders who have brought political stability and accountability 
• how diseases such as Ebola have been brought under control.

We pray for:

• the churches in these countries, for their evangelism and social outreach, faithful witness and action in times of conflict, and for interfaith cooperation with others
• the majority of the people who are still impoverished, that adequate services and policies will be provided that enable them to live with dignity and good health
• more just governance, free of corruption, accountable to the people, and that manages resources in ways that benefit all.

Continue praying with the World Council of Churches by using the resources they have in their prayer cycle

Local

This week we hold in prayer all who are experiencing loneliness, disconnection and isolation due to the lockdowns occurring across the country. For people separated from family and home we pray.

We continue to pray for people in the community who are receiving treatment for cancer and for their caring support people, family, friends, partners, husband, wives, girlfriends, daughters, sons, mothers and fathers.

We pray for the ministry of the playgroup and for all who are a part of its community.

Regional

This week we pray with the Presbytery of Canberra Region for the ministry of the Greenhills Conference Centre

• We give thanks for Greenhills and the ministry that this centre offers.
• We give thanks for the resource that Greenhills has been and continues to be to the Presbytery.
• We pray for the staff, board and visitors.
• We pray for the ongoing challenge of COVID restrictions on operations of Greenhills.

National

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

• All those grieving, suffering or experiencing loss, fear and anxiety due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.
• The people of Lebanon, especially those gripped by poverty, as the nation faces an economic crisis.
• World leaders meeting at COP26 in October – for the courage and commitment to put in place policies and action that will limit climate change and protect the planet. 

World

We join in prayer with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger

We are thankful for:

• the  heritage of ancient trade routes, rich oral traditions and nomadic practices of people in the lands these countries now occupy
• humanitarian work to improve food security and livelihoods, especially for women
• pro-active efforts to preserve the environment in these desert lands
• welcome and provision for those who often must flee across borders.

We pray for:

• those impoverished who lack basic needs and rights, that these will be met
• desperate children and others who turn to crime or begging or become enslaved
• effective response to the frequent droughts and hunger in this area
• more stable political rule in these countries to stem violence and provide for all.

Continue to pray with the World Council of Churches by using their Prayer Cycle resources