College Chaplain

A Prayer for Reconciliation Week 

Article by Reverend Peter Landry, College Chaplain 

As we reflect on Reconciliation Week, I wanted to share a prayer written by the Wontulp-Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group and authorised by First Nations Australians: 

Holy Father, God of Love,  

You are the Creator of all things.  

 

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history and the sufferings of our peoples,  

and we ask your forgiveness. 

 

We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures.  

 

Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus to reconcile the world to you.  

 

We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another,  

as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son. 

 

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better future for our Nation.  

 

Teach us to respect all cultures. Teach us to care for our land and waters.  

 

Help us to share justly the resources of this land.  

 

Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged. 

 

Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.  

 

May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families,  

our communities and our Nation,  

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

 

Amen.