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.