The team at the National Day of Prayer & Fasting is this year calling on Australians to unite in prayer in the light of the current COVID-19 crisis.
The people of Australia’s Churches are being invited to especially pray for local, national and global communities experiencing great need and distress caused by COVID-19 on Sunday 22 August.
The initiative, developed by a number of Christian communities, includes the involvement of the National Council of Churches Australia.
The theme of the national day of prayer is ‘Lord have mercy’ and calls on all to be especially united in prayer, both individually and, where we are able, in their liturgies.
There will also be an online gathering, with church leaders offering prayers and reflections at various times during the day.
Chairman of the National Day of Prayer & Fasting James Condon, said this year, to commemorate the ten year anniversary, the National Day of Prayer and Fasting team has asked Indigenous Christian Leaders to help lead the day.
“This decision to ask help from our Indigenous brothers and sisters in Christ was also inspired by the success of Ps Peter Walkers very historic Indigenous led National Solemn Assembly on the 26-27 September 2020,” Mr Condon said.
How to get involved
Those wanting to participate are encouraged to pray in their own church and/or in their own home, given the current COVID limitations in some states.
To facilitate a national prayer focus, the team at the National Day of Prayer & Fasting are providing the following prayer resources and opportunities.
- Every day from Monday 16 – Sunday 22 August 2021, a Daily Devotion will be sent out to those who register. Each Daily Devotion will include a prayer from a different Church leader.
- Every night from 8PM AEST, Monday 16 – Sunday 22 August 2021, a nightly Prayer Call will take place with input from a different church leader each night.
- On Sunday 22 August 2021 from 9AM – 9PM, the National Day of Prayer & Fasting team will host a Zoom Prayer call featuring Church leaders and Indigenous Christian Leaders. Come for a short while or come for a long while. Let us join in prayer for our nation.
To register for these events, visit: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org.au/LordHaveMercy/