Since 1975, NAIDOC Week, a full week to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has been observed by Australians. It is built on the 1938 Day of Mourning protest organised by William Cooper, first as a day – NAIDOC stands for the National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee – and now a full week.
Here are suggestions to start the week in prayer.
God of love and compassion, you are the creator of this land and of all its people.
May we continue to learn about and respect the culture, spirituality,
traditions and customs of our First Nations peoples.
May we receive the gift that they bring to us today.
We ask this through Jesus, our model and guide.
Amen.
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A NAIDOC prayer from St Andrews Cathedral Sydney
Holy Father, God of Love,
From one man you made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and you marked out their appointed times in history, and the boundaries of their lands.
So you are the Creator of this land we know as Australia. In your wisdom and love, you entrusted this part of it to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.
So we recognize their descendants as the Traditional Custodians
of the land on which we meet in our Cathedral today.
This NAIDOC Week, we thank you for the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,
and celebrate all good things found within them.
We thank you also for those First Nations people who welcomed the Good News of Jesus Christ,
and for those who follow in their faith today.
We praise you for the Spirit’s transforming work in their lives, and for when they endure in challenging circumstances.
We praise you for what we learn of reconciliation from the attitudes of Aboriginal and Islander Christians. May we all continue to forgive, as you forgave us; we ask this in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
This prayer incorporates some ideas and wording from a prayer written by some Aboriginal Christians from Arnhem Land. The cathedral pointed out to a query that this prayer focusses on celebration, rather than the confession unlike Sorry Day and other commemorations.
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A prayer from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission
Almighty and loving God, you, who created ALL people in your image, lead us to seek your compassion
as we listen to the stories of our past.
ALL: Lord hear our prayer.
You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sins will be forgiven. We place before
you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced. We live in faith that all people will rise
from the depths of despair and hopelessness.
ALL: Lord hear our prayer.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones, through the
separation of children from their families. We are sorry and ask God’s forgiveness. Touch the hearts of
the broken, homeless and afflicted and heal their spirits. In your mercy and compassion walk with us as
we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable. Lord, you are our hope.
ALL: Amen.