Our Prayers 2026
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Sunday, May 10
Pray for:
▪ healing and restoration for people you know who are facing challenges such as family difficulties, loss of a job, addiction or emotional struggles
▪ people you know who are struggling with illness
▪ justice and peace for people experiencing oppression through war
▪ mothers everywhere
Mother’s Day Prayer
Dear Lord,
we thank you for the gift of mothers, for their love, guidance and care. Please bless them with your grace, strength and wisdom as they continue to nurture and support their families. Surround them with your love and peace and let them know how deeply they are appreciated and cherished.
Amen
Prayer for Ukraine
Heavenly Father,
we think of the people of Ukraine in this time of turmoil, asking for your protection, strength, and peace. Comfort those who have lost loved ones, shield
the innocent from harm, and guide leaders toward wisdom and justice. May your light shine upon Ukraine, bringing hope, healing, and restoration.
Amen
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
India. Aryan tribes invaded the area around the Indus valley about 1500 BC and introduced the Vedic religion, which was the foundation of Brahminism and the caste system. Christianity was introduced in 52 AD by the Apostle St Thomas. Muslim influence began in the 10th century. European presence in India began with the Portuguese in 1498. In the 19th century Britain assumed political control of India. The independence movement led by Ghandi was dominated by the Hindus. A Muslim league demanded a separate Muslim state. At independence in 1947, the sub-continent was partitioned between a Hindu majority India and a Muslim majority Pakistan. India's economy ranges from traditional farming to modern industries and high technology. The country is rapidly becoming a regional and global power but is still facing the dire poverty of over one third of its population. The caste system still exists and discriminates millions of Dalits. Christians are a minority, of about 3 to 6 percent.
On reading this paragraph, I wondered how the small proportion of Christians in India (3 to 6 percent of India’s estimated population of 1.476 billion people) compared in number with the membership of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA). Hinduism is the largest religion in India, practised by nearly 80% of the population and deeply intertwined with the country’s history, culture and philosophy. I found that of the Christians in India, most are Roman Catholic. The second largest group belongs to the Church of South India (CSI), a union of Anglican, Methodist and United Reformed protestant churches. The CSI has a membership of between 4.5 and 5 million people. The UCA is the third largest Christian denomination in Australia. In the 2021 census, approximately 673,260 Australians identified with the UCA. However, the UCA itself has about 350,000 members on its official membership rolls. This indicates a significant number of people who associate with the church beyond formal membership. The Church of South India, a tiny minority in Hindu India, numbers 4.5 million people.
The Uniting Church, the third largest Christian group in Australia, numbers only 0.5 million people.
Noel Adsett
Ceylon – Sri Lanka. Buddhism was introduced and became the main religion. Tamils, from India, established themselves on the northern and eastern parts of the island. Ceylon became part of the British empire in 1815. It gained independence in 1948 and changed its name to Sri Lanka in 1972. Since 1983, the country has suffered a violent civil war between the Tamil Liberation movement and the government. A cease-fire was signed in 2001. Negotiations for a political solution are still ongoing. Sri Lanka's economy is based on agriculture, processing, manufacturing industries, and tourism, which has been affected by the on-going conflict. The majority of the population is poor and depends on subsistence farming. The island was hit hard by the tsunami of December 2004. The Catholic Church is the oldest and largest church. Methodism and Anglicanism came in the 19th century. Christians are a minority in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan over time has been occupied by Aryans, Persians, Greeks, and later Arabs, Turks, and Moghuls. With the Arabs came the foundation of Islamic rule. The territory was colonised by the British in the 19th century and became part of British India. The independence of India in 1947, and the partition of the sub-continent that followed, resulted in the creation of Pakistan consisting of two parts, on the western and eastern sides of India. In 1971, Eastern Pakistan separated and became Bangladesh. Relationships with India have always been tense, because of the unresolved problem of the Punjab. Pakistan has
traditionally been allied with the West and has supported the USA in their fight against the Taliban and terrorism but is facing internal problems with radical Islamic movements. The economy is based on agriculture and manufacturing industries. The majority of the population depends on subsistence farming and is poor. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic since 1956. Christians are a small minority.
Pray for:
▪ healing and restoration for people you know who are facing challenges such as family difficulties, loss of a job, addiction or emotional struggles
▪ people you know who are struggling with illness
▪ justice and peace for people experiencing oppression through war
▪ mothers everywhere
Mother’s Day Prayer
Dear Lord,
we thank you for the gift of mothers, for their love, guidance and care. Please bless them with your grace, strength and wisdom as they continue to nurture and support their families. Surround them with your love and peace and let them know how deeply they are appreciated and cherished.
Amen
Prayer for Ukraine
Heavenly Father,
we think of the people of Ukraine in this time of turmoil, asking for your protection, strength, and peace. Comfort those who have lost loved ones, shield
the innocent from harm, and guide leaders toward wisdom and justice. May your light shine upon Ukraine, bringing hope, healing, and restoration.
Amen
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
India. Aryan tribes invaded the area around the Indus valley about 1500 BC and introduced the Vedic religion, which was the foundation of Brahminism and the caste system. Christianity was introduced in 52 AD by the Apostle St Thomas. Muslim influence began in the 10th century. European presence in India began with the Portuguese in 1498. In the 19th century Britain assumed political control of India. The independence movement led by Ghandi was dominated by the Hindus. A Muslim league demanded a separate Muslim state. At independence in 1947, the sub-continent was partitioned between a Hindu majority India and a Muslim majority Pakistan. India's economy ranges from traditional farming to modern industries and high technology. The country is rapidly becoming a regional and global power but is still facing the dire poverty of over one third of its population. The caste system still exists and discriminates millions of Dalits. Christians are a minority, of about 3 to 6 percent.
On reading this paragraph, I wondered how the small proportion of Christians in India (3 to 6 percent of India’s estimated population of 1.476 billion people) compared in number with the membership of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA). Hinduism is the largest religion in India, practised by nearly 80% of the population and deeply intertwined with the country’s history, culture and philosophy. I found that of the Christians in India, most are Roman Catholic. The second largest group belongs to the Church of South India (CSI), a union of Anglican, Methodist and United Reformed protestant churches. The CSI has a membership of between 4.5 and 5 million people. The UCA is the third largest Christian denomination in Australia. In the 2021 census, approximately 673,260 Australians identified with the UCA. However, the UCA itself has about 350,000 members on its official membership rolls. This indicates a significant number of people who associate with the church beyond formal membership. The Church of South India, a tiny minority in Hindu India, numbers 4.5 million people.
The Uniting Church, the third largest Christian group in Australia, numbers only 0.5 million people.
Noel Adsett
Ceylon – Sri Lanka. Buddhism was introduced and became the main religion. Tamils, from India, established themselves on the northern and eastern parts of the island. Ceylon became part of the British empire in 1815. It gained independence in 1948 and changed its name to Sri Lanka in 1972. Since 1983, the country has suffered a violent civil war between the Tamil Liberation movement and the government. A cease-fire was signed in 2001. Negotiations for a political solution are still ongoing. Sri Lanka's economy is based on agriculture, processing, manufacturing industries, and tourism, which has been affected by the on-going conflict. The majority of the population is poor and depends on subsistence farming. The island was hit hard by the tsunami of December 2004. The Catholic Church is the oldest and largest church. Methodism and Anglicanism came in the 19th century. Christians are a minority in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan over time has been occupied by Aryans, Persians, Greeks, and later Arabs, Turks, and Moghuls. With the Arabs came the foundation of Islamic rule. The territory was colonised by the British in the 19th century and became part of British India. The independence of India in 1947, and the partition of the sub-continent that followed, resulted in the creation of Pakistan consisting of two parts, on the western and eastern sides of India. In 1971, Eastern Pakistan separated and became Bangladesh. Relationships with India have always been tense, because of the unresolved problem of the Punjab. Pakistan has
traditionally been allied with the West and has supported the USA in their fight against the Taliban and terrorism but is facing internal problems with radical Islamic movements. The economy is based on agriculture and manufacturing industries. The majority of the population depends on subsistence farming and is poor. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic since 1956. Christians are a small minority.
Sunday, May 3
Pray for:
• leaders of all nations, that they may have the wisdom and courage to uphold justice and peace and an end to violence and war in our world
• caring for our beautiful planet wisely and the sharing of its gifts fairly
• the Church throughout the world, that it may be filled with truth and love. Guide its leaders with knowledge and understanding
• those who are sick or suffering in body, mind, or spirit, and those in nursing homes or hospices. Comfort them and give them courage in their trials
• our local community, our families, and those who are lonely or experiencing difficulty in their relationships.
Prayer for International Workers’ Day Labour Day in Queensland 4 May 2026
Creator of all,
You who shaped the earth and entrusted it to our care,
We give thanks for the gift of work --
for the skills we have been given,
for the opportunities to serve,
and for the ways our labour sustains life.
Bless the workers of the world --
those who rise before dawn,
those who toil through the night,
those whose efforts are seen,
and those whose contributions are hidden.
Grant strength to those who labour under heavy burdens,
justice to those denied fair wages or safe conditions,
and hope to those seeking employment.
May leaders and employers act with integrity,
placing human dignity above profit,
and may communities stand together
to protect the rights of every worker.
Let our work be more than a means to survive --
let it be a way to create, to heal, to build, and to bless.
On this International Workers’ Day,
unite us in solidarity, guide us in compassion,
and inspire us to labour for a world where all may work in safety, fairness, and peace.
Amen
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
We pray for:
• the people in these lands who suffer from poverty and repressive rule
• an end to clashes related to tribalism, traditionalism, and modernization
• the land, air and water that have been damaged by human abuse
• good relations between Muslims and Christians
• an end to oppression and violence
Pray for:
• leaders of all nations, that they may have the wisdom and courage to uphold justice and peace and an end to violence and war in our world
• caring for our beautiful planet wisely and the sharing of its gifts fairly
• the Church throughout the world, that it may be filled with truth and love. Guide its leaders with knowledge and understanding
• those who are sick or suffering in body, mind, or spirit, and those in nursing homes or hospices. Comfort them and give them courage in their trials
• our local community, our families, and those who are lonely or experiencing difficulty in their relationships.
Prayer for International Workers’ Day Labour Day in Queensland 4 May 2026
Creator of all,
You who shaped the earth and entrusted it to our care,
We give thanks for the gift of work --
for the skills we have been given,
for the opportunities to serve,
and for the ways our labour sustains life.
Bless the workers of the world --
those who rise before dawn,
those who toil through the night,
those whose efforts are seen,
and those whose contributions are hidden.
Grant strength to those who labour under heavy burdens,
justice to those denied fair wages or safe conditions,
and hope to those seeking employment.
May leaders and employers act with integrity,
placing human dignity above profit,
and may communities stand together
to protect the rights of every worker.
Let our work be more than a means to survive --
let it be a way to create, to heal, to build, and to bless.
On this International Workers’ Day,
unite us in solidarity, guide us in compassion,
and inspire us to labour for a world where all may work in safety, fairness, and peace.
Amen
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
We pray for:
• the people in these lands who suffer from poverty and repressive rule
• an end to clashes related to tribalism, traditionalism, and modernization
• the land, air and water that have been damaged by human abuse
• good relations between Muslims and Christians
• an end to oppression and violence
Sunday, April 26
Pray for:
• the church throughout the world, that we may renew our faith and strengthen our witness in Jesus’ name
• the governments of the world and their leaders, especially those charged with decision-making in relation to the wars in the Middle East
• the poor and the stranger, that they may receive a place of refuge and hope
• the sick and those in distress, that they may find healing for their pain and be restored to fullness of life.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
The Armenian Genocide memorial is in Yerevan, completed in 1967 to honour the 1.5 million victims of the 1915 genocide. It features a 44-metre needle-shaped spire, twelve inward-leaning slabs protecting an eternal flame, and an underground museum. It is a major pilgrimage site, particularly on April 24,
Remembrance Day.
Armenia was for many centuries an independent nation and kingdom that in some periods of its history extended far beyond its present geographical location in the South Caucasus. It adopted Christianity as the official religion in 301 and thus became the first Christian nation of the world. The Armenian Apostolic Church is the majority church. Due to historic circumstances there is a large Armenian diaspora.
Christianity in Azerbaijan is a minority religion. Christians, estimated between 3% and 5% are mostly Russian and Georgian Orthodox. There is also a small Protestant Christian community which mostly came from Muslim backgrounds. Due to the very hostile relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia,
Armenian Christians have practically entirely fled the country, and so the Christians in Azerbaijan are members of various other groups, mostly from Russia and Georgia. Christianity spread to present-day Azerbaijan in the first years of the new era.
Pray for:
• the church throughout the world, that we may renew our faith and strengthen our witness in Jesus’ name
• the governments of the world and their leaders, especially those charged with decision-making in relation to the wars in the Middle East
• the poor and the stranger, that they may receive a place of refuge and hope
• the sick and those in distress, that they may find healing for their pain and be restored to fullness of life.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia
The Armenian Genocide memorial is in Yerevan, completed in 1967 to honour the 1.5 million victims of the 1915 genocide. It features a 44-metre needle-shaped spire, twelve inward-leaning slabs protecting an eternal flame, and an underground museum. It is a major pilgrimage site, particularly on April 24,
Remembrance Day.
Armenia was for many centuries an independent nation and kingdom that in some periods of its history extended far beyond its present geographical location in the South Caucasus. It adopted Christianity as the official religion in 301 and thus became the first Christian nation of the world. The Armenian Apostolic Church is the majority church. Due to historic circumstances there is a large Armenian diaspora.
Christianity in Azerbaijan is a minority religion. Christians, estimated between 3% and 5% are mostly Russian and Georgian Orthodox. There is also a small Protestant Christian community which mostly came from Muslim backgrounds. Due to the very hostile relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia,
Armenian Christians have practically entirely fled the country, and so the Christians in Azerbaijan are members of various other groups, mostly from Russia and Georgia. Christianity spread to present-day Azerbaijan in the first years of the new era.
Sunday, April 19
Pray for:
• those making hard decisions
• those who feel deserted
• hospices where the dying come to watch and wait, and the staff who tend them
• peace in a troubled world
• innocent civilians in the midst of the current war
• our governments and our councils across the continent.
The Redfern Prayer by Uncle Ray Minniecon
God of our Dreaming, Father of all Aboriginal nations in Australia, you have lived among us since time immemorial. We have always known you. You gave this land to our Aboriginal nations. You have not dispossessed nor destroyed us. People from other lands who do not understand our unique culture, our unique lifestyle and our unique heritage have come and destroyed much of our way of life. Many of these people from other lands now want to understand and reconcile with us. But for many of us Aboriginal people, we find this reconciliation business a little difficult.
Too many of our children are still in jails.
Too many of our children are still living in sub-standard housing.
Too many of our mothers are living on the streets or in refuges.
Too many of our children are still uneducated.
Too many of our children have no land and no community to go back to.
Too many of our children have not got good opportunities for good employment.
Too many of our children are living in extremely unhealthy environments.
Too many of our children are living among violence and abuse.
Too many of our children are dying to drugs and other soul-destroying substances.
God of our Dreaming and Creator of our people, we sometimes feel overwhelmed by these things. Many of us feel like we are refugees in our own land. We pray that more resources will be given to our local community organisations to help us grow healthy and strong. We pray that the peoples from other lands
will be given a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone so that they can understand us and support us properly. We pray that your Spirit will help and encourage us to grow good strong Aboriginal leaders.
Father, we want to grow strong and healthy again in our own land. We want to take our rightful place in our land and make our contribution to the re-building of our families, our communities and our nation.
Please hear our cries for justice. We ask these mercies in the name of your Son. Amen.
This prayer was written by Pastor Raymond Minniecon, a descendant of the Kabi Kabi nation and the Gurang Gurang nation of South-East
Queensland, and a descendant of the South Sea Islander people. He is a prominent Aboriginal Christian Leader in Australia with a long
history working across Aboriginal justice issues through business and ministry.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine
Intercessions
We give thanks for:
o the distinctive icons, art, literature and music that have come from this area
o the faithful witness of churches under the reign of Communism, and their revitalisation since then, after decades of official atheism
o all those who help to alleviate the suffering of people due to Russia's war against Ukraine and who try to counteract and overcome divisions
o those who work for democracy and openness in government.
We pray for:
o guidance, as these nations work to reconfigure political and economic structures
o compassion and integrity for all peoples in these nations with such diverse ethnic histories
o those who suffer from alcoholism, HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and other life-threatening diseases
o the large numbers of people who now live in poverty and are unemployed
o those in Belarus and Ukraine who suffer from the continued effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster
o those who struggle for democracy and truthfulness in the media.
Pray for:
• those making hard decisions
• those who feel deserted
• hospices where the dying come to watch and wait, and the staff who tend them
• peace in a troubled world
• innocent civilians in the midst of the current war
• our governments and our councils across the continent.
The Redfern Prayer by Uncle Ray Minniecon
God of our Dreaming, Father of all Aboriginal nations in Australia, you have lived among us since time immemorial. We have always known you. You gave this land to our Aboriginal nations. You have not dispossessed nor destroyed us. People from other lands who do not understand our unique culture, our unique lifestyle and our unique heritage have come and destroyed much of our way of life. Many of these people from other lands now want to understand and reconcile with us. But for many of us Aboriginal people, we find this reconciliation business a little difficult.
Too many of our children are still in jails.
Too many of our children are still living in sub-standard housing.
Too many of our mothers are living on the streets or in refuges.
Too many of our children are still uneducated.
Too many of our children have no land and no community to go back to.
Too many of our children have not got good opportunities for good employment.
Too many of our children are living in extremely unhealthy environments.
Too many of our children are living among violence and abuse.
Too many of our children are dying to drugs and other soul-destroying substances.
God of our Dreaming and Creator of our people, we sometimes feel overwhelmed by these things. Many of us feel like we are refugees in our own land. We pray that more resources will be given to our local community organisations to help us grow healthy and strong. We pray that the peoples from other lands
will be given a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone so that they can understand us and support us properly. We pray that your Spirit will help and encourage us to grow good strong Aboriginal leaders.
Father, we want to grow strong and healthy again in our own land. We want to take our rightful place in our land and make our contribution to the re-building of our families, our communities and our nation.
Please hear our cries for justice. We ask these mercies in the name of your Son. Amen.
This prayer was written by Pastor Raymond Minniecon, a descendant of the Kabi Kabi nation and the Gurang Gurang nation of South-East
Queensland, and a descendant of the South Sea Islander people. He is a prominent Aboriginal Christian Leader in Australia with a long
history working across Aboriginal justice issues through business and ministry.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine
Intercessions
We give thanks for:
o the distinctive icons, art, literature and music that have come from this area
o the faithful witness of churches under the reign of Communism, and their revitalisation since then, after decades of official atheism
o all those who help to alleviate the suffering of people due to Russia's war against Ukraine and who try to counteract and overcome divisions
o those who work for democracy and openness in government.
We pray for:
o guidance, as these nations work to reconfigure political and economic structures
o compassion and integrity for all peoples in these nations with such diverse ethnic histories
o those who suffer from alcoholism, HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and other life-threatening diseases
o the large numbers of people who now live in poverty and are unemployed
o those in Belarus and Ukraine who suffer from the continued effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster
o those who struggle for democracy and truthfulness in the media.
Sunday, April 12
Pray for:
• in Autism Awareness Month, individuals with autism who struggle to communicate and those who help them
• calm thoughts and quiet minds for those who feel overwhelmed and burdened
• war-torn countries of our world - peace to replace turmoil and violence - wisdom to leaders - comfort for the
suffering
• libraries – keepers of truth and imagination, and librarians who guide with patience and care and a world
where literacy is a right, not a privilege in National Library and Literacy Week
Prayer for Peace
God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Hagar and Ishmael, God of Isaac and Rebekah, God revealed to us in Jesus Christ, we bring before you the lands where our faith was born, now shaken by escalating violence and deep uncertainty.
We pray for the people of Iran, for the people of Israel, and for all across the region living tonight with fear.
We pray for children woken by sirens, for families seeking safety, for those carrying grief, anger and anxiety.
Prince of Peace, interrupt the cycle of violence. Protect civilian life on every side. Grant leaders wisdom and restraint. Turn hearts from further destruction toward dialogue and de-escalation.
Call all nations to act with responsibility, with care for human life, and with respect for the obligations of international law.
Spirit of the Living God, comfort those in Australia whose loved ones are in harm’s way. Strengthen Jewish, Muslim, Iranian, Arab and Christian communities who may feel vulnerable or unsettled.
Guard us from antisemitism, from Islamophobia, and from every form of hatred that rises in times of conflict.
Make your Church a place of safety, compassion and steady hope.
May fear give way to understanding. May violence give way to courage for peace. May justice and mercy meet.
In the name of Christ, who is our peace.
Amen.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania
The Hungarians (Magyars) are a people who migrated from the Volga area in the east and settled in today's Hungary at the end of the 9th century. Later, Hungary became part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. After World War I, large parts of the country were ceded to neighbouring countries. Since then, Hungarian minorities have been living in Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. During World War II, Hungary was on the side of Nazi Germany, which occupied the country in 1944. After the war Hungary became part of the communist bloc. An insurrection in 1956 was severely repressed by the Soviet army. Many Hungarians fled to the west. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, democratic elections became possible in 1990. The country joined the European Union in 2004. Christianity came to Hungary in the 10-11th century. The Reformation - Lutheran and Calvinist - had a strong impact, but the Catholic Church is the majority church. Orthodoxy has been present in Hungary for centuries but has remained small.
Intercessions
We give thanks for:
• the blending of Christian traditions and practices, from the West and East
• the faithful witness of churches amid political changes
• those working for more democratic governance in these countries
• those who welcome newcomers and provide for them and others in need.
Pray for:
• in Autism Awareness Month, individuals with autism who struggle to communicate and those who help them
• calm thoughts and quiet minds for those who feel overwhelmed and burdened
• war-torn countries of our world - peace to replace turmoil and violence - wisdom to leaders - comfort for the
suffering
• libraries – keepers of truth and imagination, and librarians who guide with patience and care and a world
where literacy is a right, not a privilege in National Library and Literacy Week
Prayer for Peace
God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Hagar and Ishmael, God of Isaac and Rebekah, God revealed to us in Jesus Christ, we bring before you the lands where our faith was born, now shaken by escalating violence and deep uncertainty.
We pray for the people of Iran, for the people of Israel, and for all across the region living tonight with fear.
We pray for children woken by sirens, for families seeking safety, for those carrying grief, anger and anxiety.
Prince of Peace, interrupt the cycle of violence. Protect civilian life on every side. Grant leaders wisdom and restraint. Turn hearts from further destruction toward dialogue and de-escalation.
Call all nations to act with responsibility, with care for human life, and with respect for the obligations of international law.
Spirit of the Living God, comfort those in Australia whose loved ones are in harm’s way. Strengthen Jewish, Muslim, Iranian, Arab and Christian communities who may feel vulnerable or unsettled.
Guard us from antisemitism, from Islamophobia, and from every form of hatred that rises in times of conflict.
Make your Church a place of safety, compassion and steady hope.
May fear give way to understanding. May violence give way to courage for peace. May justice and mercy meet.
In the name of Christ, who is our peace.
Amen.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania
The Hungarians (Magyars) are a people who migrated from the Volga area in the east and settled in today's Hungary at the end of the 9th century. Later, Hungary became part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. After World War I, large parts of the country were ceded to neighbouring countries. Since then, Hungarian minorities have been living in Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. During World War II, Hungary was on the side of Nazi Germany, which occupied the country in 1944. After the war Hungary became part of the communist bloc. An insurrection in 1956 was severely repressed by the Soviet army. Many Hungarians fled to the west. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, democratic elections became possible in 1990. The country joined the European Union in 2004. Christianity came to Hungary in the 10-11th century. The Reformation - Lutheran and Calvinist - had a strong impact, but the Catholic Church is the majority church. Orthodoxy has been present in Hungary for centuries but has remained small.
Intercessions
We give thanks for:
• the blending of Christian traditions and practices, from the West and East
• the faithful witness of churches amid political changes
• those working for more democratic governance in these countries
• those who welcome newcomers and provide for them and others in need.
Sunday, March 29
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: The Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia.
These countries all have a turbulent past.
Today we will look at the churches’ history in just one of the countries - Albania.
Albania has been successively part of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. It became independent in 1912 and was a monarchy from 1924 to 1939, when it was invaded by fascist Italy. The Albanian Communist Party, formed in 1941, seized control of the country in 1944, installing one of the harshest communist dictatorships of modern history. Under Enver Hoxha, Albania was declared an atheist nation in 1967, and all religious and traditional beliefs were forbidden. It was a fear-driven regime, clamping down on all who resisted, intellectuals, clergy, and other opponents. Many Orthodox and Catholic bishops and priests were killed or sent to prison. Albania was politically and economically isolated from the rest of the world, including the communist world. In 1990, in the context of the end of the cold war and under internal pressure within the party and by the people, the communist regime collapsed. Since then, Albania has gone through several crises of instability, due in part to other conflicts in the Balkans. The political and economic situation is improving, but slowly. The two largest churches, Orthodox and Catholic, have re-established themselves. Islam has also re-affirmed itself in Albania.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: The Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia.
These countries all have a turbulent past.
Today we will look at the churches’ history in just one of the countries - Albania.
Albania has been successively part of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. It became independent in 1912 and was a monarchy from 1924 to 1939, when it was invaded by fascist Italy. The Albanian Communist Party, formed in 1941, seized control of the country in 1944, installing one of the harshest communist dictatorships of modern history. Under Enver Hoxha, Albania was declared an atheist nation in 1967, and all religious and traditional beliefs were forbidden. It was a fear-driven regime, clamping down on all who resisted, intellectuals, clergy, and other opponents. Many Orthodox and Catholic bishops and priests were killed or sent to prison. Albania was politically and economically isolated from the rest of the world, including the communist world. In 1990, in the context of the end of the cold war and under internal pressure within the party and by the people, the communist regime collapsed. Since then, Albania has gone through several crises of instability, due in part to other conflicts in the Balkans. The political and economic situation is improving, but slowly. The two largest churches, Orthodox and Catholic, have re-established themselves. Islam has also re-affirmed itself in Albania.
Sunday, March 29
Pray for
• places of war, devastation, famine, violence
• the lonely, the hurting, the sick those in care and all those who care for them
• the grieving, the sad and those lacking hope
• our own needs.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia
Pray for
• places of war, devastation, famine, violence
• the lonely, the hurting, the sick those in care and all those who care for them
• the grieving, the sad and those lacking hope
• our own needs.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia
Sunday, March 22
Pray for
• the lands where our faith was born, now shaken by escalating violence and deep uncertainty
• loved ones, far and near
• world leaders, that they will act with responsibility, with care for human life, and with respect for the obligations of international law
• families and business owners recovering from damage caused by flood
• our better understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures that enrich our nation.
Harmony Week is an annual celebration of Australia’s cultural diversity and the benefits it brings to the Australian community. This year Harmony Week will be held from Monday 16 March to Sunday 22 March 2026. It is a time to celebrate that Australia is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
A Prayer for Harmony Week
Loving God, you created humanity in your image and likeness.
We pray that we may open our eyes to see your face in our brothers and sisters
of different cultures, races and religions.
May we focus on what binds us as a people rather than what separates us.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, once part of the USSR, are three sovereign nations in Northern Europe bordering the Baltic Sea, renowned for their rapid post-Soviet development into high-income, democratic EU and NATO members. Located between Russia and the Baltic Sea, they are celebrated for their medieval capitals (Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius), unique cultural identities, and digital innovation.
We are thankful for
• preservation of the distinct cultural practices, literature, music and natural resources in these countries
• the faithful witness of Christians during times of persecution and for those who survived times of occupation
• how these countries peacefully became independent after 1918 and 1991
• new-found freedoms that the people here have experienced, that they might be used for the good of all.
We pray for:
• peaceful relations with Russia and among all the ethnic groups in these lands
• the healing of old wounds remaining from 20th century struggles
• just economic development that benefits all citizens in these countries and those who live and work abroad
• government leaders and all people, that they might together strive for justice, peace and the well-being of all.
Pray for
• the lands where our faith was born, now shaken by escalating violence and deep uncertainty
• loved ones, far and near
• world leaders, that they will act with responsibility, with care for human life, and with respect for the obligations of international law
• families and business owners recovering from damage caused by flood
• our better understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures that enrich our nation.
Harmony Week is an annual celebration of Australia’s cultural diversity and the benefits it brings to the Australian community. This year Harmony Week will be held from Monday 16 March to Sunday 22 March 2026. It is a time to celebrate that Australia is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
A Prayer for Harmony Week
Loving God, you created humanity in your image and likeness.
We pray that we may open our eyes to see your face in our brothers and sisters
of different cultures, races and religions.
May we focus on what binds us as a people rather than what separates us.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, once part of the USSR, are three sovereign nations in Northern Europe bordering the Baltic Sea, renowned for their rapid post-Soviet development into high-income, democratic EU and NATO members. Located between Russia and the Baltic Sea, they are celebrated for their medieval capitals (Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius), unique cultural identities, and digital innovation.
We are thankful for
• preservation of the distinct cultural practices, literature, music and natural resources in these countries
• the faithful witness of Christians during times of persecution and for those who survived times of occupation
• how these countries peacefully became independent after 1918 and 1991
• new-found freedoms that the people here have experienced, that they might be used for the good of all.
We pray for:
• peaceful relations with Russia and among all the ethnic groups in these lands
• the healing of old wounds remaining from 20th century struggles
• just economic development that benefits all citizens in these countries and those who live and work abroad
• government leaders and all people, that they might together strive for justice, peace and the well-being of all.
Sunday, March 15
Pray for
• children, adults, babies who are tormented by famine and ache with hunger
• people who shiver from cold
• young people seeking guidance in how to live
• the victims of war and the battle-weary longing for peace
• all who offer God’s love and support to the needy.
An Irish prayer for St Patrick’s Day:
I arise today, through the strength of heaven, light of the sun,
splendour of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of the wind,
depth of the sea, stability of the earth, firmness of the rock.
I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
Frederik's Church, popularly known as The Marble Church is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen, Denmark. According to legend, a Viking chief brought Christianity to the Faroe Islands. On the orders of the Norwegian king, the Viking, Sigmundur forced the island people to convert to Christianity in 999. Resistance to the new religion was quickly suppressed and Christianity gained a foothold. The Church of the Faroe Islands is the established church and is an Evangelical Lutheran church, Frederik's Church, popularly known as The Marble Church is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Church of Norway is an evangelical Lutheran Christian denomination.
Pray for
• children, adults, babies who are tormented by famine and ache with hunger
• people who shiver from cold
• young people seeking guidance in how to live
• the victims of war and the battle-weary longing for peace
• all who offer God’s love and support to the needy.
An Irish prayer for St Patrick’s Day:
I arise today, through the strength of heaven, light of the sun,
splendour of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of the wind,
depth of the sea, stability of the earth, firmness of the rock.
I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
Frederik's Church, popularly known as The Marble Church is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen, Denmark. According to legend, a Viking chief brought Christianity to the Faroe Islands. On the orders of the Norwegian king, the Viking, Sigmundur forced the island people to convert to Christianity in 999. Resistance to the new religion was quickly suppressed and Christianity gained a foothold. The Church of the Faroe Islands is the established church and is an Evangelical Lutheran church, Frederik's Church, popularly known as The Marble Church is an Evangelical Lutheran church in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Church of Norway is an evangelical Lutheran Christian denomination.
Sunday, March 8
Pray for
• on World Hearing Day - children and adults living with hearing loss and the efforts of
those who are caring for them
• the very old and infirm
• young people especially those who need guidance and purpose
• people who are sad.
Prayer for International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026:
God our Creator, we thank you for all women throughout the world.
We celebrate their strengths and their achievements and pray for the day
when each woman will be treated with honour and dignity.
We pray that all women benefit from financial opportunities, access to
education, the possibility of choosing their life journey, religious freedom and the right to vote.
Protect them from exploitation, discrimination and repression.
We thank you for the women who have been pioneers in all areas of life:
in the arts, sciences, business, education, literature, sport, the army,
agriculture, religion, medicine, industry and politics.
We are grateful to them for their perseverance in opening the doors of opportunity for those who have followed them.
We acknowledge, with gratitude, the role of women in our families and in
our societies, those who have fed, guided, taught, loved and protected us.
We pray for your continued blessing of all women.
May they reach their full potential in faith, as well as in life.
Amen.
Prayer for Peace in a Time of War
God of compassion and mercy,
Creator of every nation and every people,
we come before you grieving the suffering unfolding in our world.
We pray for the people of Iran,
for families sheltering in fear,
for children whose lives have been disrupted by violence,
for the injured, the displaced, and those who mourn.
We pray for the people of Israel
and for all nations now living under threat and uncertainty.
Protect civilians.
Comfort the fearful.
Strengthen those who work for healing amid destruction.
Lord Jesus Christ, you walked paths of conflict without hatred
and faced violence without returning it.
Turn the hearts of leaders away from escalation.
Give wisdom where anger rules.
Give restraint where power tempts.
Give courage to those seeking dialogue instead of domination.
Holy Spirit, move among the nations of the world.
Where there is retaliation, sow restraint.
Where there is fear, plant understanding.
Where there is despair, awaken hope.
Teach us, your Church,
to be makers of peace in word and action
to pray faithfully,
to speak graciously,
and to live as signs of your reconciling love.
We long for the day foretold by the prophets
when swords are beaten into ploughshares
and nations learn war no more.
Until that day,
hold your world in mercy.
In the name of Christ, our peace.
Amen.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Ireland; United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales.
Ireland was settled by the Celts between 800 and 100 BC. From the 12th through to the 18th century, England gradually imposed its rule and in 1801 a union of Ireland and Great Britain was formed. In the 1840s Ireland suffered the great famine, in which one million people died, and several million emigrated. The
struggle for Irish independence led in 1922 to the partition of the island into the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland), and Northern Ireland (Ulster) that remained with Great Britain. The Irish government has been involved with Britain in the efforts to end the conflict in Northern Ireland, which resulted in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. For most of the 20th century Ireland was struck by poverty and emigration. In 1973 it joined the EU. In the 1990s the economy developed rapidly. Ireland was being Christianised by the 3rd century, and Irish missionaries participated in spreading the Christian faith to the European continent. During the Reformation most of Ireland remained Roman Catholic, and the Roman Catholic Church is the majority church. After the Church of Ireland (Anglican), the largest Protestant churches are the Presbyterian and the Methodist. The Irish churches have actively worked for
peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
The British isles were Christianised as early as the second century. Since the Reformation, Anglicans form the established church in England, and the Presbyterians the national church in Scotland. Along with the Methodists, United Reformed and Baptists, many Free churches exist, and in the 20th century many other Pentecostal, Charismatic and Evangelical churches and groups have emerged. The independent African and Afro-Caribbean churches are very lively and strong. Among the Orthodox churches the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the largest. There are also sizeable Russian, Bulgarian, Armenian and other Orthodox churches.
Pray for
• on World Hearing Day - children and adults living with hearing loss and the efforts of
those who are caring for them
• the very old and infirm
• young people especially those who need guidance and purpose
• people who are sad.
Prayer for International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026:
God our Creator, we thank you for all women throughout the world.
We celebrate their strengths and their achievements and pray for the day
when each woman will be treated with honour and dignity.
We pray that all women benefit from financial opportunities, access to
education, the possibility of choosing their life journey, religious freedom and the right to vote.
Protect them from exploitation, discrimination and repression.
We thank you for the women who have been pioneers in all areas of life:
in the arts, sciences, business, education, literature, sport, the army,
agriculture, religion, medicine, industry and politics.
We are grateful to them for their perseverance in opening the doors of opportunity for those who have followed them.
We acknowledge, with gratitude, the role of women in our families and in
our societies, those who have fed, guided, taught, loved and protected us.
We pray for your continued blessing of all women.
May they reach their full potential in faith, as well as in life.
Amen.
Prayer for Peace in a Time of War
God of compassion and mercy,
Creator of every nation and every people,
we come before you grieving the suffering unfolding in our world.
We pray for the people of Iran,
for families sheltering in fear,
for children whose lives have been disrupted by violence,
for the injured, the displaced, and those who mourn.
We pray for the people of Israel
and for all nations now living under threat and uncertainty.
Protect civilians.
Comfort the fearful.
Strengthen those who work for healing amid destruction.
Lord Jesus Christ, you walked paths of conflict without hatred
and faced violence without returning it.
Turn the hearts of leaders away from escalation.
Give wisdom where anger rules.
Give restraint where power tempts.
Give courage to those seeking dialogue instead of domination.
Holy Spirit, move among the nations of the world.
Where there is retaliation, sow restraint.
Where there is fear, plant understanding.
Where there is despair, awaken hope.
Teach us, your Church,
to be makers of peace in word and action
to pray faithfully,
to speak graciously,
and to live as signs of your reconciling love.
We long for the day foretold by the prophets
when swords are beaten into ploughshares
and nations learn war no more.
Until that day,
hold your world in mercy.
In the name of Christ, our peace.
Amen.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Ireland; United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales.
Ireland was settled by the Celts between 800 and 100 BC. From the 12th through to the 18th century, England gradually imposed its rule and in 1801 a union of Ireland and Great Britain was formed. In the 1840s Ireland suffered the great famine, in which one million people died, and several million emigrated. The
struggle for Irish independence led in 1922 to the partition of the island into the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland), and Northern Ireland (Ulster) that remained with Great Britain. The Irish government has been involved with Britain in the efforts to end the conflict in Northern Ireland, which resulted in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. For most of the 20th century Ireland was struck by poverty and emigration. In 1973 it joined the EU. In the 1990s the economy developed rapidly. Ireland was being Christianised by the 3rd century, and Irish missionaries participated in spreading the Christian faith to the European continent. During the Reformation most of Ireland remained Roman Catholic, and the Roman Catholic Church is the majority church. After the Church of Ireland (Anglican), the largest Protestant churches are the Presbyterian and the Methodist. The Irish churches have actively worked for
peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
The British isles were Christianised as early as the second century. Since the Reformation, Anglicans form the established church in England, and the Presbyterians the national church in Scotland. Along with the Methodists, United Reformed and Baptists, many Free churches exist, and in the 20th century many other Pentecostal, Charismatic and Evangelical churches and groups have emerged. The independent African and Afro-Caribbean churches are very lively and strong. Among the Orthodox churches the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the largest. There are also sizeable Russian, Bulgarian, Armenian and other Orthodox churches.
Sunday, March 1
Pray for:
• disadvantaged children in East Timor and the work of the Timor Children’s Foundation
• police officers – in times of danger – may God grant them courage and hope in every moment
• the sick and those who call out for rest and relief; those caring for loved ones
• our community - that differences may be reconciled - that helping hands may be outstretched to those in need
• each of us on our Lenten Pilgrimage that we may put aside the temptations of our busy world and find time to be still and listen for God’s call.
Gracious God,
We do not listen.
We do not listen with our hearts.
We do not listen deeply.
We confess, it is easier not to listen.
If we do not listen, we do not have to respond.
If we truly listen, we may be changed.
Yet you have said,
“This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Help us to listen.
Help us to listen with our hearts.
Help us to listen deeply.
Teach us to attend to Jesus’ words and to follow his actions.
When we listen, we begin to see the complexity of the world.
When we listen, we are moved to respond.
When we listen to Jesus, we are challenged to live and act
from a place of love, peace, and hope for the sake of the world.
Amen.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands
Belgium has been a constitutional monarchy since 1830. The government system needs to accommodate the language areas (Dutch-speaking Flanders, French-speaking Wallonia, Brussels where both languages are used, and a small German-speaking area). Belgium has a modern industrialised and commercial economy. It is one of the six founding members of the European Union, and the offices of the EU Commission and Council are located in Brussels. The Catholic Church is the majority church in Belgium. Historically, the Reformation had a strong impact in the area, but the independence struggle of the Netherlands and the Counter-Reformation led to the re-establishment of the Catholic Church.
The Netherlands emerged as an independent nation in the 16th century. It was one of the leading maritime, economic and colonial powers in the 17th century. It was occupied by Nazi Germany in World War II. In the post-war decolonisation period, the Dutch tried in vain to keep the Netherlands East Indies,
their largest and most profitable colony, and conceded its independence only in 1949. Netherlands has developed a strong economy, based on agriculture, trade and industry, and a comprehensive welfare system. The 16th century republic embraced the Calvinist Reformation. It became a bulwark of conservative
reformed churches. The first WCC Assembly was held in Amsterdam in 1948. In 2004 the two large Reformed churches and the small Lutheran church formed the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. Church affiliation and church attendance have declined sharply since the 1960s.
Pray for:
• disadvantaged children in East Timor and the work of the Timor Children’s Foundation
• police officers – in times of danger – may God grant them courage and hope in every moment
• the sick and those who call out for rest and relief; those caring for loved ones
• our community - that differences may be reconciled - that helping hands may be outstretched to those in need
• each of us on our Lenten Pilgrimage that we may put aside the temptations of our busy world and find time to be still and listen for God’s call.
Gracious God,
We do not listen.
We do not listen with our hearts.
We do not listen deeply.
We confess, it is easier not to listen.
If we do not listen, we do not have to respond.
If we truly listen, we may be changed.
Yet you have said,
“This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Help us to listen.
Help us to listen with our hearts.
Help us to listen deeply.
Teach us to attend to Jesus’ words and to follow his actions.
When we listen, we begin to see the complexity of the world.
When we listen, we are moved to respond.
When we listen to Jesus, we are challenged to live and act
from a place of love, peace, and hope for the sake of the world.
Amen.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands
Belgium has been a constitutional monarchy since 1830. The government system needs to accommodate the language areas (Dutch-speaking Flanders, French-speaking Wallonia, Brussels where both languages are used, and a small German-speaking area). Belgium has a modern industrialised and commercial economy. It is one of the six founding members of the European Union, and the offices of the EU Commission and Council are located in Brussels. The Catholic Church is the majority church in Belgium. Historically, the Reformation had a strong impact in the area, but the independence struggle of the Netherlands and the Counter-Reformation led to the re-establishment of the Catholic Church.
The Netherlands emerged as an independent nation in the 16th century. It was one of the leading maritime, economic and colonial powers in the 17th century. It was occupied by Nazi Germany in World War II. In the post-war decolonisation period, the Dutch tried in vain to keep the Netherlands East Indies,
their largest and most profitable colony, and conceded its independence only in 1949. Netherlands has developed a strong economy, based on agriculture, trade and industry, and a comprehensive welfare system. The 16th century republic embraced the Calvinist Reformation. It became a bulwark of conservative
reformed churches. The first WCC Assembly was held in Amsterdam in 1948. In 2004 the two large Reformed churches and the small Lutheran church formed the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. Church affiliation and church attendance have declined sharply since the 1960s.
Sunday, February 22
Pray for:
• healthcare workers everywhere
• wisdom to recognise injustice and the courage to stand up against it
• our own journey during Lent, listening to the word of God as well as to the cry of the poor and of the earth
• pastors, ministers, priests, deacons, elders and all who lead God’s people. May they be strengthened, protected, and guided as they shepherd the flock with love and faithfulness
• students undertaking O week at universities
World Day of Social Justice
World Day of Social Justice 2026 will be observed on Friday 20 February 2026. This annual observance was established by the United Nations to address social justice issues globally and inspire collective action.
The World Day of Social Justice 2026 theme is: "Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice". On World Day of Social Justice 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering inclusion in every society. Bridging gaps means removing barriers that deny dignity, opportunity, and equal voice is heard and every community is valued. Together, through equity and solidarity, we can build a fairer and more inclusive world.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: France, Germany, Monaco
The Taizé Community is an ecumenical Christian monastic community in Taizé, Burgundy, France. It is composed of around one hundred leaders, from Catholic and Protestant traditions, who originate from about thirty countries in the world. It was founded in 1940. Taizé has become one of the world's most important sites of Christian pilgrimage, attracting over 100,000 young people each year for prayer, Bible study, communal work, and shared reflection.
By bringing together people from a wide variety of ecclesial, cultural and geographical backgrounds, the community's vocation is to be a sign of unity in the Church and in the human family.
We often sing this Taizé song on Communion Sunday:
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
come to him and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
trust in him and you will not thirst.
France was Christianised in the 5th century. The Catholic Church is the majority church. France was the birthplace of the Calvinist Reformation, but Protestantism has remained a minority. As a result of the Enlightenment and the French revolution, a particular concept of separating the temporal and the
spiritual developed in France, called "laïcité". Islam has become the second religion, because of immigration, which has also brought many African Christian communities. A survey in 2006 showed a slight increase in the number of Protestants in France, mainly due to the growth of the Evangelical churches, especially those of African origin.
Christianity spread through Germany from the 3rd to the 12th century. In 1517, Martin Luther issued his 95 Theses at Wittenberg, which signalled the start of the Protestant Reformation. Today, Christians are about equally divided between Catholics and Protestants, of the Lutheran, Reformed, and United
churches, with a sizeable Orthodox minority (mostly due to immigration).
Pray for:
• healthcare workers everywhere
• wisdom to recognise injustice and the courage to stand up against it
• our own journey during Lent, listening to the word of God as well as to the cry of the poor and of the earth
• pastors, ministers, priests, deacons, elders and all who lead God’s people. May they be strengthened, protected, and guided as they shepherd the flock with love and faithfulness
• students undertaking O week at universities
World Day of Social Justice
World Day of Social Justice 2026 will be observed on Friday 20 February 2026. This annual observance was established by the United Nations to address social justice issues globally and inspire collective action.
The World Day of Social Justice 2026 theme is: "Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice". On World Day of Social Justice 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering inclusion in every society. Bridging gaps means removing barriers that deny dignity, opportunity, and equal voice is heard and every community is valued. Together, through equity and solidarity, we can build a fairer and more inclusive world.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: France, Germany, Monaco
The Taizé Community is an ecumenical Christian monastic community in Taizé, Burgundy, France. It is composed of around one hundred leaders, from Catholic and Protestant traditions, who originate from about thirty countries in the world. It was founded in 1940. Taizé has become one of the world's most important sites of Christian pilgrimage, attracting over 100,000 young people each year for prayer, Bible study, communal work, and shared reflection.
By bringing together people from a wide variety of ecclesial, cultural and geographical backgrounds, the community's vocation is to be a sign of unity in the Church and in the human family.
We often sing this Taizé song on Communion Sunday:
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
come to him and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
trust in him and you will not thirst.
France was Christianised in the 5th century. The Catholic Church is the majority church. France was the birthplace of the Calvinist Reformation, but Protestantism has remained a minority. As a result of the Enlightenment and the French revolution, a particular concept of separating the temporal and the
spiritual developed in France, called "laïcité". Islam has become the second religion, because of immigration, which has also brought many African Christian communities. A survey in 2006 showed a slight increase in the number of Protestants in France, mainly due to the growth of the Evangelical churches, especially those of African origin.
Christianity spread through Germany from the 3rd to the 12th century. In 1517, Martin Luther issued his 95 Theses at Wittenberg, which signalled the start of the Protestant Reformation. Today, Christians are about equally divided between Catholics and Protestants, of the Lutheran, Reformed, and United
churches, with a sizeable Orthodox minority (mostly due to immigration).
Sunday, February 15
Pray for:
• victims of war
• victims of poverty
• welfare of refugees
• our siblings
• lonely souls who live, work, suffer or grieve in solitude, without family to surround them or friends to support them.
Holy One, Light of light, God of all creation, long ago you showed yourself to the disciples in Jesus’ transfiguration; his face glowing like the sun on a dry, parched earth. Shine in us, around us, and through us, that the world may see your glory in the faces of your people; faces transfigured in the light of your love. Amen
O world invisible, we view thee,
O world intangible, we touch thee,
O world unknowable, we know thee,
Inapprehensible, we clutch thee.
(Francis Thomson)
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland
Austria was once the centre of the Austro-Hungarian empire. After World War I it became a federal republic, which was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938. In the period following World War II, Austria developed gradually into a prosperous country with a healthy economy. It joined the EU in 1995. Because of its neutrality and its geographical position, Austria has often been a bridge-builder between East and West, politically and culturally. The main religious group in Austria is the Roman Catholic Church. The Protestant churches (Lutheran, Reformed, Methodist and Baptist) are a minority of about 6 percent of the
population. There is an Old-Catholic Church and also a sizeable Orthodox minority, among which the Serbian Orthodox Church is the largest. The churches work together in the Ecumenical Council of Churches. Good interfaith relationships exist with the Jewish and Muslim communities. The official recognition of Islam by the state has helped to create a climate of mutual understanding.
Christians in Switzerland are split more or less evenly between the Catholic Church, which is the largest single church, and the Protestant Federation, which groups the Reformed churches. Through immigration, Orthodox congregations have come into being, belonging for example to the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and others. The Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox and the Old-Catholics come together in a Council of Christian Churches.
Pray for:
• victims of war
• victims of poverty
• welfare of refugees
• our siblings
• lonely souls who live, work, suffer or grieve in solitude, without family to surround them or friends to support them.
Holy One, Light of light, God of all creation, long ago you showed yourself to the disciples in Jesus’ transfiguration; his face glowing like the sun on a dry, parched earth. Shine in us, around us, and through us, that the world may see your glory in the faces of your people; faces transfigured in the light of your love. Amen
O world invisible, we view thee,
O world intangible, we touch thee,
O world unknowable, we know thee,
Inapprehensible, we clutch thee.
(Francis Thomson)
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland
Austria was once the centre of the Austro-Hungarian empire. After World War I it became a federal republic, which was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938. In the period following World War II, Austria developed gradually into a prosperous country with a healthy economy. It joined the EU in 1995. Because of its neutrality and its geographical position, Austria has often been a bridge-builder between East and West, politically and culturally. The main religious group in Austria is the Roman Catholic Church. The Protestant churches (Lutheran, Reformed, Methodist and Baptist) are a minority of about 6 percent of the
population. There is an Old-Catholic Church and also a sizeable Orthodox minority, among which the Serbian Orthodox Church is the largest. The churches work together in the Ecumenical Council of Churches. Good interfaith relationships exist with the Jewish and Muslim communities. The official recognition of Islam by the state has helped to create a climate of mutual understanding.
Christians in Switzerland are split more or less evenly between the Catholic Church, which is the largest single church, and the Protestant Federation, which groups the Reformed churches. Through immigration, Orthodox congregations have come into being, belonging for example to the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and others. The Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox and the Old-Catholics come together in a Council of Christian Churches.
Sunday, February 8
Pray for:
• Our own understanding of our role as salt and light in the world around us
• those with choices about work, relationships, finances, or ministry
• peace for those whose hearts are heavy with worry, fear, or grief
• those deprived of home and belongings due to the floods and fires in our land
and those who are helping them.
Almighty God, make my heart gentle and my spirit pure,
so I may carry your peace wherever I go.
Where there is hatred, help me speak love;
where there is doubt, help me bring faith;
where there is darkness, let me shine your light.
Use my life as a small instrument
to bring comfort, healing, and hope to others.
Guide me to walk humbly and serve joyfully. Amen.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Andorra, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Vatican City.
We are thankful for:
• the rich historical legacies and distinctive cultures in these countries
• the faithful witness of the churches in the midst of empire building and colonisation
• the many and diverse waves of migrants who have come to these lands
• the hospitality that long has been shown to those arriving on their shores.
We pray for:
• the preservation of the fragile environments and shorelines in this region
• an end to economic and political turmoil
• stable governments that end corruption and serve the common good
• policies that relieve disparities between the rich and the poor.
Malta has been host to many different civilisations, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Italians, French and British. It received self-rule and a constitution from the British in 1921, but this was revoked during the Second World War, and it was not until 1964 that Malta achieved independence. In 1974 the constitution was revised and the government reorganised as a parliamentary republic. During the Crusades, the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, gave Malta to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who remained in control of the island until the nineteenth century, when it was colonised by Britain. Virtually all citizens of Malta are baptised into the Roman Catholic Church, which is the state church and dominates the social and cultural life of the island. The Roman Catholic Church also owns over one-sixth of all property on the island and publishes its daily newspaper. In addition, it is influential in education and health care.
Pray for:
• Our own understanding of our role as salt and light in the world around us
• those with choices about work, relationships, finances, or ministry
• peace for those whose hearts are heavy with worry, fear, or grief
• those deprived of home and belongings due to the floods and fires in our land
and those who are helping them.
Almighty God, make my heart gentle and my spirit pure,
so I may carry your peace wherever I go.
Where there is hatred, help me speak love;
where there is doubt, help me bring faith;
where there is darkness, let me shine your light.
Use my life as a small instrument
to bring comfort, healing, and hope to others.
Guide me to walk humbly and serve joyfully. Amen.
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This week we pray for: Andorra, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Vatican City.
We are thankful for:
• the rich historical legacies and distinctive cultures in these countries
• the faithful witness of the churches in the midst of empire building and colonisation
• the many and diverse waves of migrants who have come to these lands
• the hospitality that long has been shown to those arriving on their shores.
We pray for:
• the preservation of the fragile environments and shorelines in this region
• an end to economic and political turmoil
• stable governments that end corruption and serve the common good
• policies that relieve disparities between the rich and the poor.
Malta has been host to many different civilisations, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Italians, French and British. It received self-rule and a constitution from the British in 1921, but this was revoked during the Second World War, and it was not until 1964 that Malta achieved independence. In 1974 the constitution was revised and the government reorganised as a parliamentary republic. During the Crusades, the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, gave Malta to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who remained in control of the island until the nineteenth century, when it was colonised by Britain. Virtually all citizens of Malta are baptised into the Roman Catholic Church, which is the state church and dominates the social and cultural life of the island. The Roman Catholic Church also owns over one-sixth of all property on the island and publishes its daily newspaper. In addition, it is influential in education and health care.
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