Local

This week we continue to pray for those in our community who are seeking healing,

• people healing after surgery
• people healing as they undergo treatment for cancer
• people experiencing pain
• people sick, or unwell

We give thanks for new birth, for families learning to live with new members and learning what it means to take on new roles as mother, father, brother and sister. We give thanks for all who care for new life and new parents, for the doctors, surgeons, nurses, doulas and especially for the midwives.

Regional

We join with the Presbytery of the Canberra Region in prayer for the ministries of Uniting – Amala and Mirinjani

• Pray for the families at Amala and Mirinjani and the staff as they have said goodbye to many of our residents recently (we have had 12 deaths at Amala since the 29th of March at Amala and 6 at Mirinjani).
• Pray for the staff may they know God’s strength and hope at this time.
• We are grateful and thankful that all our residents have had their Covid-19 vaccinations with no adverse effects.
• We pray for the family of Roy Barnes a long-time member of our St Columbus Uniting church who passed away at Amala on the 19th of May. His service will be at St Columbus Uniting Church on the 30th of May at 12.30pm
• May we continue to know and trust God’s generosity toward us.

National

We join the Uniting Church in Australia as we pray for

• Truth-telling and healing in our Church and nation as we acknowledge the wrongs of the past and injustice faced today by our First Nations Peoples.
• A peaceful and just solution to the political tumult in Samoa. May it emerge from this crisis a stronger and united country.
• The Church of Scotland as its General Assembly meeting takes place online this week, for the guidance of God’s love, wisdom and hope.

Global

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Angola & Mozambique

We are thankful for:

• the rich natural resources in these countries, which God intends for the good of all
• the positive developments experienced since years of civil war
• village committees that seek to protect livelihoods and food security of the poor
• how the Lutheran World Federation and partners have pursued land rights in Mozambique. 

We pray for:

• better sanitation, health services, and protection of the environment in these lands
• a healing of the lingering scars and memories from colonization and civil wars
• protection of the land rights of the people
• governments that are transparent and further the good of all the people, rather than being captive to foreign and business interests.

Continue praying with the World Council of Churches

Local

We continue to pray for healing for those in our community who are in hospital or who are recovering from surgery, we pray for healing, we pray for their health professionals, we hold their family and friends in our prayers. May they know your presence in this time.

We pray for all who are enduring cancer treatment, tests and diagnosis, we pray they are aware of the Spirits presence, Jesus’ hope and God’s strength at this time. We hold their specialists, doctors, nurses and other professionals in our prayers, may they be people of compassion, empathy and wisdom.

We hold the UCA Chaplain at the Canberra Hospital, Rev Andrew Mead in our prayers, may his presence and ministry be blessed. We give thanks for the times where he’s been present for members of our community over the last couple of years.

We give thanks for the ministry of the GUC Playgroup, may all involved share in the joy of community and find support, help, refuge and friendship. We give thanks for Cass Nokham and all the work she has put into the community over the last many years.

Regional

We join with the Presbytery of the Canberra Region in prayer for the community of St Margaret’s Hackett

• Pray for the Ross Walker Lodge community as they prepare for the birthday party for the 10th anniversary of the establishment of this home/ intentional community for people with disability at St Margaret’s.
• Give thanks for the Supply Ministry of Bruce Stevens as the congregation moves hopefully towards filling a new placement following the retirement of Chris Lockley in 2020.
• Give thanks for the vital cooperative work between St Margaret’s and the Holy Cross Anglican church in carbon action and social justice, joint worship and the World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly reunion choir to celebrate 30 years since the 1991 WCC Assembly in Canberra.
• Pray for the friendship group and other fellowship groups whose work is reducing the scourge of loneliness and lack of purpose that challenge many older people.
• Give thanks for the active community hub that the St Margaret’s/Holy Cross site has become through the activities of the Tuckerbox program (which provides low-cost food), Meg’s Toy Box and other community groups.

National

We join the Uniting Church in Australia as we pray for

• The gift of the Spirit to dwell amongst us, and in giving thanks for the diversity of languages and cultures that make up the Uniting Church.
• The fellowship and communion of all Christians. As followers of Jesus, may we work together in giving witness to God’s love, hope and grace.
• The people of Palestine and Israel and for a just peace to prevail.

Global

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for the Indian Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles.

We are thankful for:

• the spectacular scenery, exotic plants, rare animals and abundant sea life that flourish in the region
• how people who are ethnically and religiously diverse have long lived together 
• the economic developments that have lifted some out of poverty
• the vital evangelism, social and public witness of churches, and how the churches relate to people of other faiths.

We pray for:

• the fragile environment and the unique plants, animals and lands, that they will be protected, especially as the sea rises 
• tourism and other economic developments, that they will not threaten, but enhance life for all the people in these countries
• churches, that they will  grow through evangelistic efforts and in their work with those of other faiths
• Christians to be bolder in their public witness for justice and reconciliation, especially in times of political turmoil.

Continue to pray with the world wide church by joining with the WCC prayer cycle.

Local

Join with the Gungahlin Uniting Church community as we pray…

For all who are homeless, for those seeking accomodation, for the people who work towards ensuring people have shelter and security, for families finding it hard to pay all the bills and for services like the GUC Food Pantry, the Ngunnawal Food Pantries and Communities at Work who try to make it easier to live.

Regional

Join in with the Canberra Region Presbytery in prayer for the Monaro Parish (Cooma and Bombala)
We pray:

• We give thanks for the work and witness of this Parish and its people.
• We pray that God would continue to hold the leadership of this parish and guide their work.
• We give thanks for the communities which this parish is called to serve.
• We pray that God would continue to inspire and lead God’s people in the Monaro region to engage in God’s mission.

National 

This week we join with the Uniting Church in Australia in prayer for

• Our political leaders and decision-makers to continue to seek the flourishing of all people and all creation.
• All those across the Uniting Church who are living out a commitment to seek and advocate for equality, be in solidarity with the marginalised, work for peace, and care for creation.
• Preparations for the 16th Assembly of the Uniting Church which will be held online from 17-18 July. 

Global

Join in with the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, this week we pray for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal

We are thankful for:

• the peoples of these nations – the diversity of their cultures, languages, and art, and their resilience
• the breath-taking beauty of these lands – the mountains in all their grandeur, overflowing rivers and green paddy fields
• all those who work for the churches and their institutions, especially in places where natural disasters strike

We pray for:

• efforts of governments and others to build up these nations’ economies
• those who have lost families and homes in earthquakes and other disasters as they struggle to rebuild their lives, homes and infrastructure
• those who contribute to religious harmony and advocate for the minority voice of Christians, especially amid religious and ethnic tensions 
• religious and government leaders that they will make it possible for all peoples to live in justice with peace and harmony. 
• these small nations which depend on other countries and are often threatened by interests of their bigger neighbours.

Continue to pray with the World Council of Churches here

Local

Join with the Gungahlin Uniting Church community as we pray…

God be with the Mother
Who sits long nights beside those who cannot sleep
Who holds in aching arms the hurting child
Who carries in her heart the burden of care and worry
And comforts without words

God be with the Mother
Who listens and does not judge
Who forgives and bears no grudge
Who opens the door to her heart
No matter what the cost

God be with the Mother
Grant freedom from anxiety
Grant peace and understanding
Give hope and perseverance
Give patience and unlimited grace

God be with the child
Who enters an exciting world
Who has much to learn
Who has much to share
Who is becoming

God be with the child
Who looks up to the mother
Who takes in all the mother does
Who learns from the wisdom shown
Who has boundaries to learn and stretch

God be with the child
Grant freedom from anxiety
Grant peace and understanding
Give hope and perseverance
Give patience and unlimited grace

God be with us all
May we learn to be all that we can be
May our respect be always there
May our gratitude be endless
May we love and be loved
May this all be in the name of Christ

Amen
(Adapted from a prayer from “God Be With The Mother – A Mother’s Day Prayer”)

Regional

Join in with the Canberra Region Presbytery in prayer for the Parkesbourne and Merrilla Congregations
We pray:

• That we are proactive in promoting the gospel and encourage each other in the gospel of Christ.
• Our future as a community of faithful disciples.
• That God might use us to have effective outreach in our local community and in the greater community.
• That we continue to make a difference in people’s lives.

National

This week we join with the Uniting Church in Australia in prayer for

• India and the deepening COVID-19 crisis and for those who are impacted by the travel ban to Australia.
• An end to the suffering and lasting peace for the indigenous people of West Papua.
• A spirit of friendship as people of all faiths and none join one another to share in the Iftar meal, including those attending the Building Harmony Iftar Dinner tonight hosted by the Uniting Church and the Affinity Intercultural Foundation.

Global

Join in with the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, this week we pray for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

We give thanks for:

• the diversity of peoples in these countries: their cultures, values and spirituality
• for the resilience of minority religious groups and those on the margins of society such as indigenous communities, Dalits, women, youth, the disabled and sexual minorities, amid discrimination and persecution
• for the contributions of Christians and Christian churches in these countries to education and health services and for their innovative attempts in contextualizing their worship, theology and institutional life
• efforts to forge inter-religious solidarity for the sake of the common good.

We pray for:

• those who struggle to overcome grinding poverty
• Christians and others who selflessly work in the community, their efforts at ensuring the rights of all citizens, and their collaborative work
• efforts to build understanding and harmony among peoples across religious, caste and ethnic identities
• peoples’ movements struggling for the rights of women, Dalits, Indigenous peoples, and the integrity of the earth
• leaders to keep priority on the wellbeing of the people and the earth itself amid demands for economic growth.

Continue to pray with the Church worldwide with the WCC Prayer resources.

Local

Join with the Gungahlin Uniting Church community as we pray for

• Those of us undergoing surgery this week
• Those of us undergoing Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
• Those of us going home this week from time in hospital
• Surgeons, Therapists, Doctors, Nurses, Caterers, Specialists and Carers who look after our health and care for us when we’re needing health care.

Regional

Join in with the Canberra Region Presbytery in prayer for New Mission Areas & Collaborative Projects

Rise Ministries

• At its meeting last week Standing Committee of Presbytery approved the use of the St Aidan’s property by Rise Ministries. This is part of developing a missional relationship with Rise Ministries to model alternate forms of fresh expressions of church.
• Rise Ministries is church re-imagined. It emerges within contemporary culture and engages with those who are seeking an alternative form of faith community. Rise Ministries is passionate about creating soul stirring spaces for people to grow and flourish in life, faith and business. It is shaped by Christian spirituality.
• For more information about Rise Ministries, see Rise Ministries
• Please pray for a clear path through the further processes for Rise Ministries to set
• up in St Aidan’s, and for the developing missional relationship between Rise Ministries and Presbytery.

Strategy for Engagement to Grow Mission

• Standing Committee of Presbytery also adopted the “Strategy for Engagement to Grow Mission” (developed by the Mission Strategy Committee) for the Presbytery’s engagement to grow mission with its Congregations, faith communities and other initiatives. The strategy includes action pathways for congregations to move toward mission, based on the Capacity Quadrant Model for mission introduced to the Presbytery in 2015/16.
• Please pray that engagement with Congregations through this strategy will grow mission.

Mission Planning

• Many of the congregations in our Presbytery are currently involved in planning for mission. Braidwood UC is taking steps to further resource mission through its Op Shop and its other growing connections with the local expanding over 55’s housing. It’s exciting to see how these connections are already taking shape in the lives of people in the local community.
• Please pray that the ongoing planning for mission will be enriched through engagement with Presbytery and Uniting Mission and Education. Please also pray that planning for mission in our other congregations will lead to a fuller participation in Christ’s mission in the world.

National

This week we join with the Uniting Church in Australia in prayer for

• Those gathering for the President’s Conference in Adelaide over the next few days as they come together in worship and community and reflect on the call to live out their discipleship.
• For India as it responds to the COVID-19 crisis, for those who are mourning loss of life, those responding on the frontline, and those delivering urgent aid and support.
• For people seeking asylum and safety in Australia who remain trapped in an unjust system.
• The Moderators, President and President-elect of the UCA who are gathered together this week for a time of sharing on the life and mission of the Church.

Global

Join in with the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, this week we pray for Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Intercessions:

We are thankful for:

• the magnificent expanse of mountains, grasslands and deserts in these Central Asian countries
• the rich natural resources
• the incredible ethnic diversity
• cultural traditions and practices that have been preserved for centuries amid the challenges of modernization
• Christians who, although they are a tiny minority, have courage to witness to the gospel and find the strength to live according to God’s word
• those who in spite of danger dedicate their lives to serving others.
  

We pray for:

• the people in these lands who suffer from poverty and repressive rule
• an end to clashes related to tribalism, traditionalism, and modernization
• the land, air and water that have been damaged by human abuse
• good relations between Muslims and Christians
• an end to oppression and violence.

Continue to pray with the Church worldwide with the WCC Prayer resources.