Loving God,
We thank you for who you are and boldly come before you, knowing that you care. Knowing that you see us and have always seen us and have been with us since the beginning. Creator God, you placed Aboriginal peoples on these lands now called Australia as your chosen custodians. We thank you for the gift of knowing you, and that we have been reconciled to you through the cross. With all of creation, we worship you.
Father, you know our pain, and the injustices that our people have faced and continue to face. Your heart breaks for the Stolen Generations, for the suffering and trauma that occurred and that continues today for our children, families and communities. Our hearts grieve what has been lost, stolen and abused, and the way this impacts every aspect of our lives today. Lord, we also acknowledge and lament the New Stolen Generation, as our children are still being removed from their families at staggering rates.
Holy Spirit, we pray that you will come and bring your comfort to all those who need it. We pray that as the truth is told and acknowledged, your healing waters will flood our hearts and this nation.
We pray that families will be restored, and that families and communities will be strengthened and supported.
We pray that compensation will be given to survivors and families of the Stolen Generations.
We ask that you guide our political leaders and raise up First Nations peoples into positions of influence and leadership.
God, please protect our children who are currently in the out of home care system. May they encounter your love and peace, and have hope for the future.
Guide all people into your heart of compassion and empower us to love with actions and in truth.
In the name Jesus, our redeemer, we pray these things.
Amen.
If you are using please acknowledge Bianca Manning as the author/writer.
Bianca Manning is a Gomeroi woman and an emerging young Aboriginal Christian Leader from Newcastle. Bianca is Common Grace's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator. Bianca's grandmother was a member of the Stolen Generations.