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

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