Uniting in Prayer is an invitation for the whole Church to slow down, listen deeply to God, and reconnect with one another across cultures, communities and distances.

From Pentecost Sunday on 24 May to the 49th Anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia on 22 June, we are embarking on a shared season of national prayer.

Over these 30 days, 30 voices from across the Church will come together. Each day, a new voice will lead us in praying as one body around a single, unifying question: “What does it mean to be woven together in Christ's love across cultures and boundaries?”

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Day 23: God of justice and renewal

God of justice and renewing grace,

As we celebrate 49 years of the Uniting Church, we give thanks that Your Spirit continues to move among us; calling people to worship and live lives shaped by your examples of humility and compassion.

In the words of the prophet Micah 6:8, “You have told us what is good: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.”

Teach us to live these words with honesty and faithfulness.

We give thanks for the unwavering witness of First Nations peoples, for their enduring care for Country, for wisdom carried across generations, and for the invitation to walk together more truthfully on this land. Renew in us a deeper and truthful commitment to reconciliation.

Lord, we pray for communities too often pushed to the margins; those living with addiction, poverty, isolation, or stigma. We give thanks to all your faithful people who advocated and continue to stand with women, men and children experiencing marginalisation. We pray for the staff of the medically supervised Injecting Centre in Kings Cross, these 25 years of services have reminded us that every life is sacred, and that hope can still be found in places the world too easily overlooks.

God, where there is despair, plant renewal. Where systems wound, stir people to seek justice. Where hearts grow weary, breathe fresh hope again. And may we be known not only for what we believe, but live our justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you.

In Christ, who walks with the wounded and makes all things new.
Amen.

Rev Faa’imata Havea Hiliau
Moderator, Synod of NSW and ACT