After an opening hymn, Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, Michael Duckett, pastor of Macarthur Indigenous Church, led the Sydney Anglican Synod Opening Service in the Cathedral with a Prayer of Acknowledgement.
“Our Lord and loving heavenly Father, we acknowledge that you are Creator of all that is. We acknowledge that in your Providence, you gave custodianship of the land upon which we meet to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. We acknowledge with sorrow the painful history between the Aboriginal people and the later settlers of this land, and we pray that you may work among us the reconciliation that is the gift of your son, our lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen”
As I sat in St Andrews Cathedral, listening to the rousing singing, I realised that this prayer did not function as something sandwiched into the service. Many of its themes were echoed.
When we read Psalm 95 together, God was honoured as the owner of all things. “In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.”
Led by Dean Sandy Grant, we prayed “for the leaders of our nation, and for all that exercise authority in this land. Enable them to uphold justice, retrain wickedness and promote integrity and truth.”
The sermon by Andrew Rees centred on 2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Ree’s message focussed on our city’s desperate need for salvation, ignored by our population’s rich and glittering lifestyle.
But Jesus’ generosity in saving us was reflected in the last Synod calling for all to “c “generously consider” the “yes” case in the Voice referendum. As laid out by the Bishop of South Sydney, Michael Stead, a couple of weeks ago, the practical effect is giving the proposal the benefit of the doubt.
That’s a ripper prayer John, thanks for sharing it, seems like a good model for use elsewhere too.
I must pray for Synod. Didn’t know it was time.