Christian care for families worldwide

March 23-25

Rokon in South Sudan 

Kampala in Uganda 

Kaduna in Nigeria 

Koforidua in Ghana

Brisbane in Australia

Peru

March 26-28

Central Zambia in Zambia 

Southern Highlands in Tanzania

Ogbaru & Badagry in Nigeria

Bermuda

Chandigarh in India

March 29

Mothers’ Union worldwide

March 30-31

Toamasina in Madagascar

Mukono in Uganda 

Ikwerre & Ife East in Nigeria

Down & Dromore in All Ireland

Delhi in India

April 1

Toamasina in Madagascar

Mukono in Uganda

Ikwerre & Ife East in Nigeria

Down & Dromore in All Ireland

Delhi in India

April 2-4

Umzimvubu in South Africa

Lweru in Tanzania

On the Niger in Nigeria  

Cape Coast in Ghana

Ontario in Canada

Limerick & Killaloe in All Ireland

April 5

Mothers’ Union worldwide

April 6-8

Cueibet in South Sudan

Gahini in Rwanda

Wusasa & Ibadan in Nigeria 

Christchurch in New Zealand

April 9-11

Nord Kivu in DR Congo 

Kigali in Rwanda

Kiteto & Kubwa in Nigeria  

Perth in Australia

Kuranagala in Sri Lanka

April 12

Mothers’ Union worldwide

April 13-15

Yirol in South Sudan

Ruvuma in Tanzania

Nike & Benin in Nigeria  

Canberra & Goulburn in Australia

Dogura in Papua New Guinea

April 16-18

Kindu in DR Congo

Mount Kenya West in Kenya 

Egbu in Nigeria 

Te Pihopatanga O Aotearoa in New Zealand

Cork, Cloyne & Ross in All Ireland

Eastern Himalayas in India

April 19

Mothers’ Union worldwide

April 20-22

Kinshasa in DR Congo 

Victoria Nyanza in Tanzania

Ahoada & Warri in Nigeria

Oxford in England

Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea

April 23-25

Kisangani in DR Congo

Kagera in Tanzania

Awka in Nigeria; Sunyani in  Ghana 

Manchester in England

Popondota in Papua New Guinea

April 26

Mothers’ Union worldwide

April 27-29

Port Sudan in Sudan 

Muhabura in Ugand

Niger Delta West & Yewa in Nigeri

The Northern Territory in Australia

Chennai in India

April 30

Aru in DR Congo

Kigezi in Uganda

Ikeduru in Nigeria

Ho in Ghana  

York in England

Guyana & Suriname in Guyana

May 1-2

 Aru in DR Congo

Kigezi in Uganda 

Ikeduru in Nigeria

Ho in Ghana

York in England

Guyana & Suriname in Guyana

May 3

Mothers’ Union worldwide

May 4-6

Uppershire in Malawi

Maralal Missionary Area in Kenya

Makurdi & Ifo in Nigeria

Tuam, Killala & Achonry in All Ireland

Mumbai in India

May 7-9

Torit in South Sudan

Meru in Kenya

Ikwuano in Nigeria

Sekondi in Ghana

The Arctic in Canada

May 10

 Mothers’ Union worldwide

May 11-13

Twic East in South Sudan

Rorya in Tanzania

Owerri & Ughelli in Nigeria

Gippsland in Australia

Cashel & Ossory in All Ireland

May 14-16

Maridi in South Sudan

Kirinyaga in Kenya

Zaki-Biam & Ijesa North-East in Nigeria

Waikato & Taranaki in New Zealand

May 17

Mothers’ Union worldwide

May 18-20

Grahamstown in South Africa

Masasi in Tanzania

Afikpo in Nigeria

Wiawso in Ghana

Chester in England

Northern Argentina in Argentina

May 21-23

Christ the King in South Africa

East Rwenzori in Uganda

Gombe & New Busa in Nigeria

Bunbury in Australia

May 24

Mothers’ Union worldwide

May 25-27

Bor in South Sudan

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Oru & Oleh in Nigeria

Rockhampton in Australia

Agra in India

May 28-30

 Angol 

North Ankole in Uganda

Okene & Ibadan-South in Nigeria

Aberdeen & Orkney in Scotland

Karnataka South in India

May 31

Mothers’ Union worldwide

June 1-3

Johannesburg in South Africa

Kumi in Uganda

Nsukka & Idoani in Nigeria

Derby in England

Madhya Kerala in India

June 4-6

Ibba in South Sudan

Maseno North in Kenya

Isiala-Ngwa & Ondo in Nigeria

Fredericton in Canada

Amritsar in India

June 7

Mothers’ Union worldwide

June 8-10

 Yambio in South Sudan

Garissa in Kenya

Mbamili in Nigeria

Hereford in England

Willochra in Australia

Thailand

June 11-13

Mahajanga in Madagascar

Mara in Tanzania

West Buganda in Uganda

Kwoi in Nigeria 

Newcastle in Australia

East Kerala in India

June 14

Mothers’ Union worldwide

June 15-17

Bukavu in DR Congo 

Nyahururu in Kenya

Gboko in Nigeria

Portsmouth in England

New Guinea Islands in Papua New Guinea

June 18-20

Rejaf in South Sudan

Military Episcopate in Kenya

Doko & Owo in Nigeria 

Chelmsford in England

 Jamaica & Cayman Islands

June 21

Mothers’ Union worldwide

June 22-24

Rumonge in Burundi 

Tabora in Tanzania 

Kabba & Bukuru in Nigeria

St Albans in England

Nagpur in India

June 25-17

Table Bay in South Africa

Rift Valley in Tanzania 

Evo & Ijebu in Nigeria

Adelaide in Australia

Taejon in South Korea

June 28

 Mothers’ Union worldwide

June 29 - July 1

Eastern Zambia in Zambia

Mombasa in Kenya

Gwagwalada & Ekiti-West in Nigeria

Leicester in England

Temotu in Solomon Islands

July 2-4

Renk in South Sudan

Cyangugu in Rwanda

Arochukwu/Ohafia & Ile-Oluji in Nigeria

St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane in Scotland

Sittwe in Myanmar

July 5

Mothers’ Union worldwide

July 6-8

Wad Medani in Sudan

Kondoa in Tanzania

Ikwo & Remo in Nigeria

Montreal in Canada

Windward Islands in St Lucia, Grenada

St Vincent & The Grenadines

July 9-11

El Obeid in Sudan

Butere in Kenya

Nnewi in Nigeria

London in England

Province of the USA

July 12

Mothers’ Union worldwide

July 13-15

Toliara in Madagascar 

Mbale in Uganda

 Zaria & Ndokwa in Nigeria

Rochester in England

Chhattisgarh in India

July 16-18

 Lake Malawi in Malawi

Byumba in Rwanda

Jalingo in Nigeria

St Edmundsbury & Ipswich in England

Lucknow in India

July 19

Mothers’ Union worldwide

July 20-22

Gitega in Burundi

Murag’a  South and Mbeere in Kenya

Enugu North in Nigeria

Polynesia in Tonga

Jaffna in Diocese of Church of South India

July 23-25

George in South Africa 

Bungoma in Kenya

Western Tanganyika in Tanzania

 Ideato in Nigeria 

Sodor & Man in Isle of Man

Toronto in Canada

July 26

Mothers’ Union worldwide

July 27-29

Northern Zambia in Zambia

Mpwapwa in Tanzania 

Gusau & Osun in Nigeria

 Sydney in Australia

Rayalaseema in India

July 30 - August 1

 Boga in DR Congo

Manicaland in Zimbabwe

Tanga in Tanzania

Ogoni in Nigeria

Carlisle in England

Melbourne in Australia

August 2

Mothers’ Union worldwide

August 3-5

 Juba in South Sudan

Kitale in Kenya

Minna & Lagos in Nigeria

Moray, Ross & Caithness in Scotland

Madurai-Ramnad in India

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Love

'The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love’ Psalm 103:8

In some of the most wonderful words ever written, the Apostle John tells us, ‘God is love’ 1 John 4:8. We use ‘love’ to refer to romantic relationships only. But Jesus taught us that love is far bigger than that. He tells us why we can be so sure that God loves us: ‘This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (4:10). And that is why love for others is an indispensable mark of the Christian life: ‘Whoever does not love, does not know God’ (4:8). Of course, we are to love family and also our Christian family. But, like the Good Samaritan we must also love those we do not know and those who may not like us. 

Question for thought: What habits do we have that get in the way of Christian love?

Lord of all, we give thanks for the way members in the Diocese of Meath and Kildare in Ireland show faith in action and serving in your name. Pray as they seek through many activities to provide help to families in need. May their fellowship be deepened as they meet together in prayer.  Amen.

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Reconciliation

'Therefore, if you are offering your gift on the altar and there remember your brother or sister has something against, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift’ Matthew 5:32-24

‘Reconciliation’ has become a popular word. It often describes the desired relationship between two people groups. But it is also an important element in personal relationships. A man I knew once wronged his wife. In the end he repented and sought the forgiveness, which she gave. Their marriage could not resume, and he accepted that. But they were friends and worked together as much as possible for the sake of their children. In other words, they were reconciled. Repentance  and forgiveness led to peace between them.  This is something God offers us and that we should seek ourselves in our human relations.

Question for thought: Am I reconciled to God and to others?

Almighty God, again we bring before you members in South Sudan in the Diocese of Rumbek as they care and support  widows, orphans and people with disability. May they continue to grow in their love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus so they can stand against persecution and not be overwhelmed by Islamic militants.  Amen.

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Forgiveness

‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’ Ephesians 4 32

The forgiveness we have received from God through Christ, changes our lives. As Jesus taught us, when we have been forgiven so much, we will forgive others for their sins against us. This means that we will not seek to take revenge against another person. Sometimes a person who has offended us is dead. We forgive them also. It can be hard and might take some time. But, inspired by the forgiveness we have received from God, we can decide to forgive and then practise forgiveness. How many families have been torn apart  because members will not be forgiving? Forgiveness is the path to peace. 

Question for thought: Has the forgiveness of Jesus changed me?

Loving Lord, we bring before you the nation of Uganda and especially our members in the Dioceses of Namirembe and Sebei as they seek to uphold Biblical family values and encourage families to be in loving, respectful relationships. We pray as they address many social injustices such as female genital mutilation and gender-based violence that they will look to you for your wisdom by your Spirit.  Amen.

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Peace

'Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ Romans 5:1

The very first thing we need in life is peace with God. He holds our lives and he holds our future in his hand. Everything depends on him. He is a just God, which is good news since we want justice to reign. But it does mean that we are alienated from him.  But Good News! By his provision of his beloved Son, Jesus, in whom we put our faith, we have been granted peace. When we have peace with God our future is assured, and we live through all the ups and downs of life. We were alienated, but we are now reconciled. All this through the love of God.

Question for thought: How do I know that God loves me?

Loving Father in heaven, we pray for the Dioceses of Southern Nyanza in Kenya and Oke-Osun in Nigeria. Please give wisdom to members in Southern Nyanza as they support those faced with the challenges of unemployment, crime, poverty and lack of food. May they have opportunity to share the love of God through their faith in you. We also pray for the members in Oke-Osun as they often face persecution. Give them courage to be steadfast in trusting you.  Amen.

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Special Community

'Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed  kept pure’  Hebrews 13:4.

So important is the union of a man and a woman in marriage, that we are told both to honour our parents and also to leave them. If God wills, the new marriage will be a home with children, and the family is the very first community of which we are usually aware. In God’s normal provision each child is granted a mother and father who will protect and nurture them, shaping their characters for the experience of adulthood. It is not surprising, therefore, that the marriage bond is protected by God’s word and we are commanded to honour it. This is something which Mary Sumner understood and from her care for family has come the Mothers Union and its charter to care for marriage and family life. Thank God for our founder.

Question for thought: Do I pray without ceasing for the children in my family and beyond?

Gracious Lord, we thank you for the over 800 members In Southwark Diocese in England praying and working together to share Christ’s love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life. We pray too, for the Diocese of Gloucester as they seek to demonstrate and share their Christian faith in their communities.  Amen. 

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Faith in Community

‘Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it’  Hebrews 13:2.

On many occasions my husband and I have been the recipient of kindness from strangers. A truck driver who stopped to help us change a tyre; a young man who carried our luggage up a steep staircase; the spontaneous offer of a seat on the bus. Kindness is something we can all practice. One of the ways in which many churches are showing kindness is in running ESL classes for those among us who are learning English. Virtually all of us born here can do this, and it is a great gift. It requires time and compassion. Is this not what the God’s word teaches us to give? 

Question for thought: Are we hospitable to those who come amongst us from elsewhere?

Father of all, we give thanks for the Dioceses of Yangon and Hpa-An  in Myanmar and the deep faith of Mothers Union members there. Please uphold  them in a challenging political situation and we pray that they may have courage as they help share your love with those in need, and offering both physical support and emotional encouragement. We pray too, for members in Wangaratta, Victoria as they share God’s love in visiting the sick with prayer support and encouragement.  Amen.

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Faith and Community

'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.’ James 1:27.

One of the ways in which Christians acted from the very first was to look after the needy. For example, Christians would rescue unwanted babies (often girls) and care for them. They also looked after the sick, widows and orphans. This was all long before there was government help. Closer to our own time, Christians played a vital role in stopping the slave trade, in caring for animals, in looking after the victims of war, and in countless other ways. This was done at the command of Jesus the Saviour, whose love for us, unworthy as we are, has inspired us and whose word has directed.   

Question for thought: How does Mothers Union help us to love our neighbours?

Merciful Father, we pray for the nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo and particularly for the Diocese of Kasai during the violence and conflict which they are experiencing. We pray for an end to the conflict and reconciliation among conflicting parties. Set a guard over them and protect them and comfort those close to them. May there be peace, justice and stability. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Sunday, August 10, 2025

Community

'"Love your neighbour as yourself”. Love does no harm to neighbour. Therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law’  Romans 13:9-10

God has designed us as communal creatures and we all live in a number of different communities: our family, our street, our suburb, our club, our church, our nation. We rightly love our families and those who are like us. But as Jesus showed in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, true obedience to God demands that we love people and seek their welfare even if they are very different from us. Mothers Union has a record of doing this by visiting the sick and new mothers, for example, and caring for members in need all around the world. Our motive is this: we love because God first loved us. He has shown us in Jesus what true love is like. 

Question for thought: How do I love my neighbours?

Gracious Lord, we bring you the work in Novia Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada. We thank you for the support and encouragement they give the Mission to Seafarers and in providing resources for clergy families. Pray that as together they reach out in their communities they will share the hope in the kingdom God has promised. We pray too for our members in North Queensland as they support and encourage indigenous members in their family life.  Amen.

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Mary Sumner

‘As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you’  Isaiah 66:13

Mary Sumner is rightly famous around the world for her great work in founding what has become ‘Mothers Union’. She did this by gathering the mothers of her local community so that they could support one another. And she did it in a way in which people of all backgrounds met in the equality that the Lord decrees when he made us all in his image. She overcame her own shyness with God’s help to become an effective speaker, and she was driven by the conviction that motherhood was one of the most important tasks given to humanity. We rightly thank God for her and seek to fulfil her vision in our own time. 

Question for thought: How do we honour and support motherhood?

Almighty God, we pray for our members in Juba, South Sudan. We thank you for the faithfulness of members in the midst of conflict amongst tribes. We thank you for the women who have encouraged and helped others to know you as well as equipping their sisters with life skills along with care and support. Lord of all, we pray for the Dioceses of Melbourne and North West Australia as they reach out with your love to their communities whether in a large city or small country towns. Bless them as they gather together to listen to your Word and pray.  Amen.

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Growth

'speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ’  Ephesians 2:15

‘Refreshment and encouragement’ is the theme of this month’s MU Prayer Diary. They do in fact belong together in our experience and we have both especially when we meet in church. It is rather strange that many church members are willing to miss church as often as they do. We are a single body and we are all responsible for the growth of the body into the likeness of Christ. It is not just the job of the minister. When we decide not to attend we are depriving others of the encouragement and refreshment which we receive from each other.  

Question for thought: Does every member have an active role to play in church?

Our Father in heaven, we thank you that Zambia is a relatively stable country and pray for members in Northern Zambia as they reach out in your name that many will come to you as they see your love reflected in the lives of these sisters. We also pray for Sydney Diocese and give thanks for the online State Conference in NSW that was held yesterday. May it have been an encouragement to members across the State as they gathered in small groups and shared this time together.  Amen. 

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Rest

'Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’  Matthew 11:29

One of the greatest blessings we have from God, is the weekly rest day. We remember that this goes back to the seven days of creation and the seventh day when God ‘rested’. The day gives us freedom to meet with our fellow-Christians in worship, to take time off, and to make sure that those who depend on us can rest as well. But the idea of the day of rest not only looks back to creation. It also looks forward to Jesus and his promise of rest for those who learn from him. When someone goes to be with Jesus, we rightly say they are ‘at rest’.  And, one day, the whole creation will be renewed and all will be as it should be again, and all will be at rest. Here is something to look forward to!

Question for thought: Where do I find my rest?

Lord of All, we pray for our sisters in Gitega, Burundi as they seek to help women particularly through Literacy and Financial education. May they reach out with your love and encourage the women to trust in you and be their anchor in life as they help them to have a stable family life. Amen.

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Enrichment

'My goal is that they may be encouraged in their heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’  Colossians 2:2-3

We all worry about money sometimes. We want the security and happiness which money seems to bring. For some people, the accumulation of money is the goal of their lives, and they can never have enough. But Jesus warned us that, ‘You cannot serve both God and money’ (Matthew 6:24). For the Christian, then, the great truth is this, that in Christ we have the riches we actually need, the ‘treasures of wisdom and knowledge’.  To know God and to serve him is actually the goal of life. There are many people in the world, including many Mothers Union members, who, though exceedingly poor, have Jesus as their Saviour and thus have riches untold.  

Question for thought: What is the attitude of my heart towards money?

Gracious Lord, our hearts are heavy following the plane crash in India where so many lives were lost. We pray for the families of those who died that they will know your comfort and strength. Also we pray for members in the Dioceses of Chhattisgarh and Lucknow. May they have wisdom, love and compassion in helping those in their community in marriage preparation and acquiring vocational skills and as they stand against gender-based violence.  Amen.

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Refreshment

'Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshment may come from the Lord’  Acts 3:19

Our consciences are sometimes our friends and sometimes our worst enemies. It is right for us to be alert to sin and be sorry for it. But when we repent and turn to the Lord, he tells us, with a voice much stronger than our consciences that our sins are wiped away. And yet, our consciences may still nag us as we remember past mistakes. It is good that when we focus again on the cross of Jesus, we receive ‘times of refreshment’, times of peace with God, of assurance of his love. In fact, he gives refreshment too when we are suffering and the reminder that when we go to be with Jesus all sin and pain and suffering will be no more. 

Question for thought: Can I remember times of refreshment in my own life?

Almighty Heavenly Father, we pray for the nations of Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines in the West Indies. Protect them as they cope with hurricanes each year and we pray that as they care for the vulnerable in their community through visiting the sick, parenting and family support they may be able to share the hope of trusting in you.  Amen. 

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Support of clergy

‘Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority…Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you’ (Hebrews 13:17)

Of course, we know that the clergy do not have an ultimate authority in church.  They too are under the authority of God. But if we wish them to serve us, we need to respect them. We easily become accustomed to criticising our leaders, forgetting that no one is perfect. Church can become a pond of critics, and the task of ministry can become impossible.  I know some people who found themselves critical, repented and vowed not to be critical of their leaders, but to pray for them. It was a blessing to them and also to the clergy for whom ministry should be a joy, not a burden.

 Question for thought: Have I fallen into the sin of constant criticism?

Almighty God, we give thanks for the focus on Family Life which is the basic foundation for teaching  Christ’s teaching on marriage and Christian family life in Temotu diocese in the Solomons. May the parenting program be the means by which families are encouraged to have faith in you.  Amen.

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Ministry of clergy

‘to equip his people for works of service’ (Ephesians 4:12)

The Lord Jesus sends pastors to his church. The essence of their ministry is to help us to grow as Christians and to be equipped for works of service, pre-eminently serving one another so that we can grow like Jesus. Sometimes we go to church simply out of habit and without expectations. But that is not the vision of Jesus for his people. Instead, equipped by our pastors we are to grow together into the likeness of Christ and we are to help each other to grow.  Church is not merely a habit – it is a unity of people who care for each other, led by the teaching of the word of God.  

Question for thought: What should I pray for my brothers and sisters in church?

Gracious Lord, we thank you for the Mothers Union in Taejon in South Korea and the ministries they share in supporting the homeless, caring for the elderly and counselling for women in need. May they share the true comfort that comes in trusting Jesus. We also pray for our members in Adelaide and new President Rev. Dr Gethzi Devasagayam.  Amen.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Provision of clergy

'So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers’ (Ephesians 4:11).

As Jesus reigns, he cares for his church. A sign of this is the provision of the pastor/teachers, of those who have special role of shepherding the church. At the heart of this, as we read in Ephesians 4, is to teach the church and to help us to grow to maturity. We need to pray that the Lord will continue to provide for such pastors, the ones who not only bring us the word in church but also minister to our souls by word and sacrament when we are in the greatest need. When we experience such ministry, we should remember to thank the Lord for his kindness to us. 

Question for thought: How should I pray for the clergy?

We thank you Heavenly Father for the work of the Mothers Union in Nyahururu Diocese in Kenya and their endeavours to meet the challenges to family life of high unemployment, crime, poverty and food insecurity. Give them insight into programs to help meet these needs. Please assure them by your Spirit of your love for them.  Amen.

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Pentecost

'Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear’ (Acts 2:33).

The coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost is such a wonderful event. It is the dawning of a new day, promised by the prophets and also Jesus. All who belong to Jesus now have the gift of the Holy Spirit living within their hearts.  The Spirit relates us to God, enabling us to call Jesus Lord and God our Father. All three persons of the Trinity are involved in our salvation. The Spirit leads us to the Father and the Son. But the Spirit is the gift of the Father to the Son and then the gift of the Son to us. We pray to the Father in the power of the Spirit and the name of the Son.  Both the Son and the Spirit intercede for us. All this is only the beginning of what God does through his Spirit. Pentecost is a day of great joy.

Question for thought: How do I know that I have the Spirit?

 Pray this week for the Dioceses of Willochra, South Australia and Newcastle, NSW. Lord we thank you that in spite of huge distances separating members in Willochra they are committed to AMUA aims, and their communities. Pray as they seek to serve you through visiting, supporting local Op Shops, and Community Cafe, and Aged and Nursing Home visits. Pray too, for members in Newcastle as they seek to reach out in their community particularly through the hospitals. Help them as they share the comfort and hope that only you can bring. Amen.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Ascension of Christ

'For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death’ (1 Corinthians 15:25-26).

Coming between Easter and Pentecost, the Ascension does not seem very important. But think about it! We remember that it was the moment that he left his disciples. But in fact he did not leave. The Ascension celebrates not so much the departure of Jesus as his enthronement. At the heart of our Christian message we say, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’. Not luck, nature, not human power, but Jesus reigns, putting his enemies, notably the Evil One, down. And the most wonderful news is that he defeats death, the last enemy. We do not need to fear. Jesus is in charge.        

Question for thought: Do I think of Jesus as Lord? Am I glad?

Heavenly Father, we bring before you the Diocese of Madhya Kerala in India which works under the Women’s Fellowship of Mother India. Guide them as they help women both spiritually and in secular fields especially as they support the elderly, provide respite care for the physically and mentally challenged girls and care for those working in the Tabitha Tailoring Centre. Amen.

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

'‘So we make it our aim to please him whether we are at home in the body or away from it’ (2 Corinthians 5:9)

Jesus is our Lord, our king. Our aim in life in this world and the next, is to please him by doing his will. In that way his kingdom is already here; and yet we are also waiting for him to return and then we will see the kingdom in all its glory. Our prayer is, that even before he returns, the Lord’s commands will be obeyed everywhere. One of the wonderful things about the Mothers Union is that we know that all around the world there are women in fellowship with each other, praying for each other, and seeking to please the same Lord. Already we see, in part at least, the answer to the prayer that Jesus taught us.

Question for thought: Is the aim of my life to please the Lord?

Gracious Lord, we pray for members in Nigeria particularly the Dioceses of Oru, Oleh and Okene and Ibadan-South.  Protect them from persecution and give them courage to stand firm in their faith in you in these difficult times. We give thanks for our members in Central Queensland (Rockhampton) and ask  that MU functions are well attended and members enjoy a great fellowship. Amen.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Thy will be done

'Yet not as I will, but as you will’ (Matthew26:39)

Confronted with the horror of crucifixion, our Lord prays to his Father that the cup may be removed from him. But then he prays, ‘Yet not as I will, but as you will’. What we will and what God wills are not always the same. How important it is to recognise the wisdom and goodness of our heavenly Father and to submit to his will. Even so, the Lord pleaded with his Father that he would not experience the agony. But in all his prayers, true faith said, ‘Thy will be done’. That is a challenge to us.

Question for thought: Do I truly pray that God’s will may be done?

Lord of all, may the Mothers Union members in Grahamstown and Christ the King in South Africa continue to have the strength to persevere and the grace to serve so that their lives may reflect your love  and bring hope to many. We pray too for our members in Bunbury, Western Australia as they share a common bond of prayer, love and sharing, dedication and encouragement. Amen

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Thy Kingdom come

'Jesus said, “the kingdom of God is in your midst”’ (Luke 17:21)

God’s kingdom comes when he will judge the world and relieve his people of evil and suffering. Jesus preached that the kingdom of God was at hand and that we should get ready for it by repentance and faith. But when the Pharisees asked him when this would happen, he said that the kingdom was already present. He meant that he is the King and that he was already present. But he also said that he would come again to judge the world.  So, when we pray that the kingdom will come, we are praying that Jesus will return and set all things to rights. This is something that we should long for.

Question for thought: Do I pray that Jesus will return?

Gracious Lord, we pray for members in the Diocese of Gippsland and for President Lindy Driver. Uphold them as they seek to share Christ’s teaching on marriage and family through caring for refugees, providing a holiday for two families and distributing activity bags for the children’s ward. We also bring before you the Diocese of Cashel and Ossory in All Ireland as they share your love with the homeless and provide holidays for those in need. Amen

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Hallowed by your Name

'I will show the holiness of my great name…’ (Ezekiel 36:23)

Our names matter. They tell people something about us. We hate to have our name besmirched. God warned his people from the very beginning not to abuse his name or bring discredit on it. But that is what happened, as Ezekiel tells us, and the nations scorned God because he had to punish his people. So God saved his people from their exile so that the nations would honour his name. Jesus taught us to pray first and foremost that God would make holy his own name. Of course part of the answer to this prayer is the way in which we speak about God and live for God. But to do that, we need God’s help. So we pray, first and foremost, ‘hallowed be your name’.

Question for thought: What am I asking for when I pray ‘hallowed be thy name?’

Our Father, please make us a people who will show forth your honour, for we wish above all that your name will be honoured among all people. Pray for the Mothers Union in Uppershire, Malawi as members are actively identifying and responding to the challenges that individuals and families face. May they have opportunity to share their faith in Jesus. Amen.

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Our Love

'We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar’ (1 John 4:19-20)

Jesus emphasised the love of neighbour, even if the neighbour is very different from us. All people are our neighbours. Our love is a fruit of the Spirit and is a response to the great fact that we have been loved, as is shown by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. But we are reminded that we owe a special debt of love to our fellow Christians, the brothers and sisters given to us by the Lord. Sometimes, of course, it is easier to love people far away in another land than to love the people in our own church. But far away or close at hand, our love is a test of our understanding of what God has done in Jesus, even though we did not deserve it.

Question for thought: How do I care for my brothers and sisters at church? Do I pray for them?

Gracious Lord, we thank you for the partnership of the Diocese of Kigezi with the Diocese of Armidale as they equip, encourage and support gospel workers in North Kigezi. May members have the opportunity to share the hope of the gospel as they care for those in the community who need emergency relief and guidance in parenting. We pray too for members in the Northern Territory and President Pam Powell as they gather and pray for relationship with indigenous Australians. Amen.