This prayer has been written for NAIDOC Week 2024 by proud Wuthathi and Mabuiag Island woman Safina Stewart for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to keep the fire burning, and prayer for the church to continue walking together for truth and justice.
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Creator God,
You are the sustainer of life, the composer of creation’s song
You taught our Elders how to listen to Country’s rhythm
To stand to protect, sustain and care for Country
Open our ears and enflame our commitment toward creation justice
We walk together to keep the fire burning
You are the celebrator of language, kinship and culture
You have taught our communities how to be resilient
Renew and encourage our disheartened spirits, restore our peoples to flourishing
Overflow us with vision, guide our paths, give us comrades for the journey
We walk together to keep the fire burning
You are the fire keeper, the Creator of time and place
You remember the silenced and ignored stories
Your stories connect us back to Your love to fuel the flame
Quicken our memory to Your way of justice, hope and love
We are Blak, Loud, Proud. We will keep the fire burning.
We walk together to keep the fire burning
You are the holy God of truth and justice
You hear the cry of our hearts, our laments and our mourning
You comfort and accompany us
We experience your faithfulness and peace.
Blaze us with your love and presence, holy God of truth and justice
We walk together to keep the fire burning
You are the Spirit of restoration and healing
You gave Jesus to show us how to live in right relationship
We take our place to listen, learn and build understanding
We walk together with honour, respect and celebration
We walk together to keep the fire burning
Amen
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If using this prayer in a gathering or church service please acknowledge Safina Stewart as the author and provide the context for this prayer. We also encourage people to join in saying the bold sections together.