PRAYER FOR OUR NATION

Father God. Sovereign Lord who rules over all. We thank you for this land in which we live – its awesome beauty and its rich resources. Give us wisdom so that we might be good stewards of what you have entrusted to us. Help us to respect and care for our environment. We believe you are the creator and sustainer of our land, so we ask you to bless it. In particular, we pray for rain in those areas that have been affected by drought. Creator God, give us a fruitful land, we pray. We pray too for those affected by floods – comfort and keep them in your love.

We thank you for the people with whom we share this land – the indigenous and the immigrant. Help us to respect and care for one another. Many of us have prospered in this land, others have missed out on the good times – some have suffered injustice at the hands of others or by neglect. Today, in particular, we pray for our indigenous neighbours, most of who live less healthy and prosperous lives than us. Too many of them die in infancy. Too few live to enjoy old age. Give wisdom to leaders in government, the various professions and the indigenous communities. Help them to find effective solutions to long-standing problems. Help us to work together across this land to achieve good outcomes for all who live in it.

Today, we pray for everyone who was affected by the removal of indigenous children from their families. We pray for the families that were torn apart; the people who were wounded; the officials carrying guilt for their policies and actions. We pray that last week’s Parliamentary apology will help to heal their wounds and lift their burdens. We pray that the grieving and the guilty will experience your grace and be transformed by it. Our nation has been divided by actions and reactions across a range of issues. Help us to be reconciled to one another – to live together in understanding, compassion, justice and peace.

Father, bless our land and its people; guide our leaders; enable us, your church, to walk across this land and among its people in the spirit of Jesus – giving grace, doing justice, bringing peace and honouring You. Amen.

Related Articles:

• Pray for the World 6 February 2012
• PRAYER OF A HUMBLE SERVANT
• Prayers for Help in Times of Trouble
• Pray for the World (January 31, 2012)
• Pray for the World January 25, 2012

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