The first priority in Archbishop Mark’s Apostolic Priorities for the Archdiocese of Brisbane, documented in With Lamps Ablaze, is Teaching Prayer. He says, “Often we urge people to pray but don’t really teach them how to pray… Now is the time to teach ways of prayer which are mature and all-embracing. Christian prayer begins not with speaking but with listening; and learning to pray is therefore learning to listen – to listen even to the silences of God. If all we do is speak, then in the words of Jesus we “babble like the pagans” (Matt 6:7). But if we speak after listening and in response to God who always has the first word, then we speak according to the mind of the Holy Spirit. That’s what we need to teach and learn. In the Gospel of Mark, we read that Jesus called the twelve apostles to himself, first of all, “that they might be with him” (3:14). This is where the mission starts: being with Jesus, which is what prayer is.”

Join us for our new weekly series, Let’s Pray, where we invite you to pray along with us. Each week we will invite you to pray a new prayer with us – maybe you don’t know what to pray, or want to pray along with someone, or want to practice your faith through prayer. Our Let’s Pray series is for everyone.

As we begin Synod, a significant event where members of the Church in South-east Queensland come together to engage in meaningful dialogue, work towards consensus, and address the diverse needs of the global Catholic community. Your prayers are a vital part of supporting this process, helping to guide the discussions that will shape the future of the Church. We invite you to join Steph Unger in prayer as we embark on this important journey. Come Holy Spirit.

• Let's Pray - A Prayer for Synod

  Let's Pray - A Prayer for Synod

  Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane

  
  My name is Steph Unger and I have two roles within the Brisbane Archdiocese. I am a Project Officer for Inclusion with Evangelisation Brisbane and the Synod Executive Officer where I am working with Bishop Tim Norton and a dedicated group of Engagement Team Members and Writers to plan the upcoming Archdiocese of Brisbane SYNOD24: I Am Making All Things New. Today I would like to pray the SYNOD24 Prayer with you. Let’s pray.

  Creator Spirit, whose breath of life makes all things new. We gather around Your table of communion, as many parts of one body, grounded in the hope, joy and mission of the Risen Christ. We open our minds and hearts, so we can be nourished and enlivened by Your presence, ready to be the hope, joy and mission of the Risen Christ. We make space for the many stories of hurt, exclusion and silence of those within, and on the very edges of our communities, so we may be in service of the hope, joy and mission of the Risen Christ. As your breath of life flows in us and through us, may we be a vessel for Your bold creativity so we may be the hands and feet of the hope, joy and mission of the Risen Christ. We ask this in the name of the Risen Christ, Amen.

  Thank you for praying this with me. Please continue to pray for the participants of SYNOD24 that we may listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and humbly serve our community as we walk together for a more co-responsible church on mission.