Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Prayer Service
Holy Spirit In This Land
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge with respect,
the country, the skies, waterways and
spiritual systems of the ______________ people,
the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather.
We pay respect to Aboriginal Elders past and present
as they hold the knowledge, language
and spiritual connections to this country.
We acknowledge our Aboriginal students and their families.
We do this in the spirit of Reconciliation,
as we move to a place of justice and partnership
as together we walk gently on this land.
Lighting of Candle...
As we light the candle,
we place ourselves
before the presence of the Lord.
Come O Holy Spirit
Come O Holy Spirit
Come O Holy Spirit
Jesus' promise is with us this day
Jesus' promise is with us this day
Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Veni, Sancte Spiritus
We gather here with strength anew
We gather here with strength anew
By the Spirit we are called
To be Your witness for all the world
Your Word alive burning in our hearts
Though we are many we are one
One voice that sings for all the world
Come receive the power of God's love
Come O Holy Spirit contd...
Come O Holy Spirit
Come O Holy Spirit
Through your life Jesus we've learnt to live
Through your life Jesus we've learnt to live
Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Your Word the light that shows my path
Your Word the light that shows my path
By the Spirit we are called
To be Your witness for all the world
Your Word alive burning in our hearts
Though we are many we are one
One voice that sings for all the world
Come receive the power of God's love
Come O Holy Spirit contd...
For I am the way
the truth and the life
No one goes to the Father
except through me
By the Spirit we are called
To be Your witness for all the world
Your Word alive burning in our hearts
Though we are many we are one
One voice that sings for all the world
Come receive the power of God's love
© John Burland
Used with permission Word of Life International license number 426
First Reading
A reading from the book of Deuteronomy
Dt 4:32-40
‘The Lord God loved your ancestors and chose their descendants after them.’
Moses said to the people: ‘Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before
you, from the time God created man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one
end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the
living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you heard it, and remain alive? Has any god
ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, wonders, war
with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for
you before your eyes in Egypt?
‘This he showed you so that you might know that the Lord is God indeed and that there is no other.
He let you hear his voice out of heaven for your instruction; on earth he let you see his great fire, and
from the heart of the fire you heard his word. Because he loved your fathers and chose their
descendants after them, he brought you out from Egypt, openly showing his presence and his great
power, driving out in front of you nations greater and more powerful than yourself, and brought you
into their land to give it you for your heritage, as it is still today.
‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on
earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so
that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for
ever.’
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 76:12-16. 21. R. v.12
(R.) I remember the deeds of the Lord.
1.
I remember the deeds of the Lord,
I remember your wonders of old,
I muse on all your works
and ponder your mighty deeds. (R.)
2.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders
You showed your power among the peoples. (R.)
3.
Your strong arm redeemed your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
You guided your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron. (R.)
GOSPEL
Matthew 16: 24 - 28
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
What can anyone give in exchange for his life?
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny
themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save
their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good
will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what
can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to
come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person
according to what they have done. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing
here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his
kingdom.”
Prayers of the Faithful
For the Church, that she remains a beacon of hope and a voice for truth,
justice and reconciliation in our world.
Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
For those in positions of public authority, that they may act responsibly and dutifully
to ensure that the rights of all people are respected and protected.
Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
For those burdened by grief, suffering and loss, that they may feel God’s healing
presence and be renewed with courage and hope.
Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
For young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, that they grow to
become strong leaders for us all, and strive to be the people that God wants
them to be in all that they do.
Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
That those who suffered and died in faith may gain their heavenly reward.
Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Aboriginal Lord’s Prayer
(Slightly adapted from the traditional words)
You are our Father,
You live in Heaven,
We talk to You, Father,
You are good.
We have done wrong,
We are sorry,
Teach us Father,
Not to sin again.
We believe your Word,
Father, we your children,
give us bread today .
Stop us from doing wrong
Father save us all
From the evil one.
Others have done wrong to us
And we are sorry for them,
Father, today
You are our Father,
You live in Heaven
We talk to You,
Father You are good.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Prayer Service
Holy Spirit In This Land