Praying Together 2021

113 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. May the love of God be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT During this week we rejoice in Australia’s Aboriginal and Islander people. We recognise and affirm their culture and spiritual connection to the land. Let us remember them in prayer. (pause ) God of all ages, unite all Australians in one family marked by mutual respect and love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 13:6-9 Jesus told the people this story: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. One day he went out to pick some figs, but he didn’t find any. So he said to the gardener, ‘For three years I have come looking for figs on this tree, and I haven’t found any yet. Chop it down! Why should it take up space?’ The gardener answered, ‘Master, leave it for another year. I’ll dig around it and put some manure on it to make it grow. Maybe it will have figs on it next year. If it doesn’t, you can have it cut down.’” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Because God lovingly cares for all creation we put the needs of the world into his hands. For Australia’s Indigenous peoples: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For peace and harmony among all Australians: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For care of our land and waters: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For a deep respect for all cultures: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the prayers in our hearts today: (pause while students offer their prayers aloud) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. DISMISSAL May God bless us and protect us and bring us to eternal life. Amen. May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. Monday Week 14 Ordinary Time 5 July 2021 “The gardener answered, ‘Master, leave it for another year.’”