With Courage Let Us All Combine A prayer for Refugee Week

God, we recognise that it is you Congregation: Beneath our radiant Southern Cross, we’ll toil with hearts and hands; God, we recognise that it is you who created this land. God, we recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples were the First Nation Peoples of what we now call Australia. We recognise that we are citizens of the Kingdom of God, before we are citizens of our country. We ask that you would use our hearts and hands to make Australia a place of sanctuary, shelter, comfort and provision for people seeking asylum and refuge.

Congregation: To make this Commonwealth of ours renowned of all the lands; Lord, we ask that Australia would be known as a kind and compassionate country. We ask that Australia would be known as a place of welcome and inclusion for people who seek refuge and asylum within our borders. We pray that Australia would be known as a place where the Kingdom of God thrives.

Forgive us for the times we have closed our hearts and hands to you. Congregation: For those who’ve come across the seas, we’ve boundless plains to share; Forgive us for the times we have closed our borders to those most vulnerable. Forgive us for the times we have closed our communities to people seeking asylum and refuge. Forgive us for the times we have closed our churches to children, women and men seeking asylum and refuge. Forgive us for the times we have closed our hearts and hands to you.

Congregation: With courage let us all combine to advance Australia fair. Give us courage to defend the cause of people seeking asylum and refuge. Give us courage to confront the powerful – the Australian policy makers and politicians. Give us courage to confront our own hearts and minds. Give us courage to help usher in God’s Kingdom in Australia. All: With courage let us all combine to advance Australia fair.