External God, when we respond to your call, you sweep us into that movement which takes the Good News to the ends of the earth. You have commissioned us to be the people of God in every nation and area of life; in local issues and international affairs, in the suburb and, the city and the outback.

You leave us in no doubt that to be your disciples we must travel lightly and be wayfarers on the road, that we need the bible in one hand, and a newspaper in the other, a map of the word and a local street directory. Today we therefore pray for the mission of the Church universal and the efforts of each local church community: for the work of your Kingdom here in Australia and in every part of our planet.

And, as we pray for a greater awareness of the world, and a deeper understanding of your purpose for it, we ask that you will take from us any hint of the hypocrisy which is willing to support those who are afar, while failing to recognise or refusing to acknowledge the needs and concerns of our own country.

We pray for the men, children, and women who have come to our shores as refugees in search of a new home and a new life.

We remember also our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters who lament more than two hundred years of hatred and opposition, prejudice and poverty. O Father of the crucified Christ, at this time give to these your people throughout this continent as they fight to regain rights that have been negated, and lands of which they have been dispossessed:

Faith amidst the ashes of disillusionment, dignity to resist the forces of discrimination, and courage to face the uncertainties of the future. Lord of our nation, as Australians we must share in dismay at what has been done in our name;

We have allowed those with authority and power to define the problems and the solutions, forgetting that people are at stake. Touch the heart of our nation, O God, and give it a new integrity; may justice once again roll down like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

But no less, O Lord, do we pray that in our own suburb, and ask that in it we may incarnate your presence. Lord of all nations, if in our own work for your Kingdom we have been apathetic in our affluence or indifferent in our attitudes;

If we have lacked the strength to love, have let cynicism blur our vision, or bitterness cripple our soul, In your mercy forgive us, stir us again into action, and inspire us to new endeavours. Make us imaginative in our proclamation, impatient with all injustice, and unselfish in our support of others.

And now may the love of the Creator God, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us and remain with us always. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. - Terry Falla, 1981, Be Our Freedom, Lord.