— for all those in authority

Almighty God, ruler of the nations of the earth, give wisdom to Queen Elizabeth, to the Prime Minister of Australia [N], to the Premier of NSW [N], to all Members of Parliament (especially N), and to all who hold office in this land.

Grant that their decisions may be based on wise counsel, so that peace and welfare, truth and justice may prevail among us, and make us a blessing to other nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— for indigenous Australians

Father of all, from one man, you made from all the nations of the world and determined where each should live. We bring before you the indigenous people of Australia. We acknowledge the history that has damaged the relationship between them and later arrivals to this land. Thank you for the steps that have been taken on the journey towards reconciliation. Deepen this process among us.

Guide national and community leaders to speak the truth in love, to seek justice with mercy and to care for those who are disadvantaged. Strengthen indigenous church leaders to shepherd your flock faithfully, and strengthen all indigenous Christians to be salt and light in their communities and in the whole nation. Give indigenous and non-indigenous believers grace to demonstrate the new family you are making in Christ out of people from every nation, tribe, language and people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— for all the poor, needy, sick, and vulnerable

Loving God, you have made all people in your image, and you care for the poor and distressed. Make us a just society, where the rights of all are acknowledged and upheld, where those who are oppressed are made free, and where corruption has no place. Give companies, social institutions, and governments, the desire to act for the good of all, rather than for the advantage of a few. Especially empower your people to model the values of your kingdom in all their relationships. Hasten the day when Jesus will return to establish justice and your eternal reign, for the glory of your name. Amen.

Almighty God, giver of life and health, hear our prayers for those who are sick, and for those who minister to them. Grant them strength and perseverance in their weakness. In your mercy, quickly restore them to health of body and mind according to your will, that they may give thanks to you in the presence of your people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— for our devotion to Christ

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life. Give us grace that we may always thankfully receive the benefits of his sacrifice, and also daily endeavour to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— for those who serve our communities

God of all creation, we pray for all who work in agriculture and farming, in all industry and commerce, in the media and education, in health and social services, sport and the arts, in emergency services and defence forces.

Enable them to fulfil their responsibilities with integrity and in faithful service to our community, living and working in harmony and safety, using the fruits of their toil for the good of all, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

— for the spread of the gospel

We praise you, Lord of all, for the gifts of Christ our ascended King: for apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Hear our prayer for all who do not know your love and have not heard the gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Send out your light and truth through the messengers of your word (especially …) and bring many to saving trust in Christ. Help us to support them by our prayers and offerings, and to commend the gospel ourselves by what we say and do. Hasten the coming of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— for open doors for the gospel

God our Father, thank you for rescuing us from the dominion of darkness and bringing us into the kingdom of Jesus, the Son you love. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. Hear our prayer for all who are far away from you, enemies in their minds, because of their evil behaviour, that they might come to believe the hope held out in the gospel.

Open doors for the gospel in every land, and enable the messengers of your truth to proclaim it clearly, as they should. Help us to be wise in the way we act towards outsiders, and to make the most of every opportunity you give us. May our conversation be always full of grace and seasoned with salt, that we may know how to answer everyone. We ask these things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to you through him. Amen.

— for an increase in gospel workers

Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field. And so we pray that you would look with compassion on the world you have redeemed by the death of your Son Jesus Christ.

Move the hearts of many to offer themselves for gospel ministry. Fill them with your truth and clothe them with holiness, that by their lives and labours your light might shine through them and the coming of your kingdom be advanced, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— for the media

Merciful God, we pray for the media in our country and throughout the world. Thank you for the technology that has enabled us to be connected with so many people and places, and that shows the common bonds we have as humans on this planet.

Give those who direct, work and participate in the media a love of truth, peace and justice. Strengthen them to speak out against all that is evil, and to celebrate the good, working with honesty, integrity and wisdom, for the good order of society. Use the media to proclaim your greatness and bring many to trust in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— for practical love of one another

Lord, you have taught us that all our works without love are worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.