Call to Prayer for Voice + Justice
Thank you for joining us in prayer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice.Over four weeks, in the lead up to the referendum on 14 October, Common Grace are sharing a series of weekly prayers as we commit this important moment and decision facing our country to prayer. As many of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders have reminded us this year, we need to be approaching and grounding our response to this referendum in prayer.
“To me all of these issues need to be based on prayer and asking God to guide us and to help us. We need to be coming together at the foot of the cross and acknowledge the history of this nation, which has not been a very good history, and it’s only as we come to the cross and meet with our Saviour that things could change.” Aunty Jean Phillips, Senior Aboriginal Christian Leader
“One request from me is to encourage the church to work out where their knees are because we need to pray a lot more in this country for the issues of justice.” Uncle Pastor Dr Ray Minniecon, Aboriginal Christian Leader
Please find below a daily guide to prayers for Voice & Justice that have been shared as part of a weekly email series and daily text message prayer requests. We invite you to dedicate time each day in the lead up to the referendum to prayer, and invite others to join you. You may decide to set a daily alarm to prompt you in prayer at the same time each day. Share with your small groups, and with your broader church and faith community. Coming together as a church community, across Australia, in prayer at this time for our country is so important. May we bring our requests to God as we seek God’s healing and justice to flow across these lands, this referendum year and beyond.If you would like this weekly prayer email delivered to your inbox please sign up to the Listen to the Heart 'Voice and Justice' Pledge here. You can also register your details to receive daily prayer requests and bible verses sent directly to your phone in the lead up to the referendum on 14 October by adding your details here. Week One Prayer Requests: |
Saturday 16 SeptemberPraise & thanks for the vision, boldness & grace of our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander leaders of the past & present. |
Sunday 17 SeptemberPray for the Walk for Yes events happening all over the nation this weekend. That they may be an opportunity for unity and a sustained commitment to walking with First Nations peoples. |
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Monday 18 September Pray for our country and people in your communities as they continue to engage in conversations over the coming weeks. Pray for truth-filled, gracious and compassionate conversations that are grounded in humility and respect. |
Tuesday 19 SeptemberPray that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people would be safe, free and flourishing. That the gift of their lives and cultures would be a blessing to our nation. |
Wednesday 20 SeptemberPray for the Church in Australia. That we may come together in unity under God, while embracing the beauty of our diversity. May we stand together for love, compassion, inclusion and reconciliation. |
Thursday 21 SeptemberPray for an end to racism and injustice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. May all Indigenous peoples experience abundance of life through Jesus. |
Friday 22 SeptemberPray that the truth of our shared history may be told, and lead to deeper understanding, repentance, healing, and action. |
Week Two Prayer Requests: |
Saturday 23 SeptemberPray for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders as they speak out into our communities and across different platforms. Pray for wisdom, peace, courage, safety and strength as they speak. |
Sunday 24 SeptemberPray that the Australian church today can model the example of early Christians in making space for all people to flourish in community. |
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Monday 25 September Pray that God would be at work in each of us at this time - that He would put onto our hearts what grieves His heart and that His spirit would be present in each of our conversations. |
Tuesday 26 SeptemberPray for an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody. Pray for God’s comfort and love to surround the families and communities of those who have died in custody. Pray for action to be taken swiftly to promote justice, safety and restoration. |
Wednesday 27 SeptemberPray for the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the nation prepares to vote about their lives and futures. |
Thursday 28 SeptemberPray that God would be mightily at work, whatever outcome of the referendum, to help move our hearts and communities towards compassion, understanding, healing and restored relationships. |
Friday 29 SeptemberPray that all Australians would have clarity and wisdom as they prepare to vote. Pray that we may all see past the misinformation and fear messages, and engage meaningfully through deep listening, learning and gracious conversations. |
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Final Week Prayer Requests:
Would you like to receive these daily prayers as a text message? The Common Grace team is also being led by our Aboriginal Christian leaders in a call to prayer through a daily text message. These prayer prompts and requests will be shared daily in the lead up to the referendum. If you would like to sign up for daily text prompts, please add your details here. To further engage, listen to this beautiful rendition of the song "You're the Voice" performed by Gamilaraay man Mitch Tambo here, "If Not Now" by Paul Kelly here and "I'm Gonna Praise the Lord" by Uncle Nelson Varcoe here.
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