In a remarkable expression of unity across the church, the leaders of three broad networks have
issued a call inviting Australia’s Christians to engage in ‘40 days of prayer in the face of
drought’. The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), the Australian Prayer
Network (APN), and the Evangelical Alliance (EA), have joined forces to invite Churches right
across the country to engage in prayer concerning the present drought.
They are calling Christians to a national Day of Prayer on Sunday 24 July as the first of 40 days
in which individuals and groups would pray about the issues raised by severe drought. In a joint
statement, Revd John Henderson (NCCA), Brian Pickering (APN), and Tom Slater (EA) said:
“Despite recent rainfall, some of it above average, we think this season of prayer is still relevant
as the drought has by no means yet been broken, and its lessons remain. Along with the drought,
the floods that have accompanied heavy falls in some areas show our continuing vulnerability to
the weather, and our reliance on the most basic cycles of nature. Christians see all of life not just
in material terms, but in spiritual terms. Drought and flood remind us of our total dependence on
God. Reflecting on the present drought and responding in faith will include a whole range of
responses. One of these will be compassion for rural communities bearing the brunt of
environmental extremes. Another will be a greater sense of proportion, as we reflect on the fact
that in other parts of the world millions go without even clean drinking water every day.
Alongside prayer for the breaking of the drought will no doubt be prayers of repentance for our
wasteful use of limited resources, and prayer for greater responsibility and wisdom in the way
we use and manage our water resources as a nation, and address issues such as global warming.
Prayer reminds us not to take God for granted.
In this season of prayer we will join both with those still waiting for rain and those who have
recently had good or above average rainfall, turning to God with our thanks and our requests for
all of Australia.”
Resources for churches, small groups, and individuals, will be made available through the
websites of the sponsoring networks:
www.ncca.org.au
www.ausprayernet.org.au
www.ea.org.au
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For further information contact:
John Henderson (NCCA) 02 9299 2215 or 0419224935
Brian Pickering (APN) 02 9876 2419 or 0409 779 870
Tom Slater (EA) (03) 9890 0633 or 0438 335 640