Let us pray that we will be joined together in working for reconciliation, and the healing of our ancient land and its peoples.
Forgive us for remaining silent and bound by fear.
Give us the courage to speak and act with justice.
Forgive us for our arrogance in closing our eyes to other peoples and cultures.
Enable us to know your redeeming power.
Forgive us for disfiguring this land and despoiling its bounty.
Come, Holy Spirit, renew the whole creation.
Forgive us for despising the cultures of other, and taking away their self-respect.
Give us grace to bind one another’s wounds.
Forgive us for not listening to the grief of all who are oppressed in this land, especially . . . (prayers for forgiveness can be added here) such as:
- the children that lost their homes,
- the children that lost their mothers and fathers,
- the parents that lost their children,
- the children that lost their communities,
- the communities that lost their children,
- the children that lost their culture, the traditions that lost their keepers,
- the land that lost custodians.
Draw us together as one people.
Forgive us for our prejudice and indifference towards those whose ways differ from our ways.
Strengthen us to live with respect and compassion for one another.
[Source: A Prayer Book for Australia]
