panorama from One Tree Hill with both of Auckland's harbours in picture. |
Auckland City CBD
from under harbour Bridge
|
the amazing diverse landscape, just living in Auckland you are bi-coastal, tow very different coasts as well. we have two harbours and with the sprawl north it is slowly becoming three with the Kaipara. It is built on a large volcanic field. in one direction the city goes off west to the waitakere rangers and its protected ' native bush', the hills that I grew up looking at from our house on the Titirangi Road ridge. The market gardens of pukekohe, which I have to say I only usually see as I take Highway 1 over the Bombay hills on my way south. There is so much more you could give thanks for in this city in terms of natural beauty.
The amazing diversity of people. Auckland is one of the ten most multi cultural cities in the world. With over 40 % of people having been born "elsewhere". The Maori are the people of this land and the migration of others from Europe, the Pacific, Asia, the Americas and Africa has happened in waves over the last century and a half (or more). people from down country have come to Auckland for education and jobs (and with high house prices they are moving back south!).
It has been great to see the Gospel proclaimed and lived in this city for the past 180 years as well. It is good to be part of a group of people trying to live out and share the gospel in the here and now and as i get a bit older to see new generations, fresh expressions and denominations and new leaders carrying on the task.
But all is not well in the city and we have our challenges. Inequality, how to deal with our colonial past with justice and integrity, someone commented to me the disturbing fact that while we are one of the worlds most multi cultural cities we are also one of the most segregated as well. Children living in poverty is an issue. Housing costs mean that the poor find themselves pushed further out from the city centre to the south and west. Gentrification and demand for housing is an issue.
But I also trust that we can bring our city to God trusting that he will hear our prayers and fill us with his Holy spirit to be his people in this place.
Once again feel free to use or not use all or any of this prayer you may find helpful. for my non New Zealand readers... Tamaki Makaurau is the Maori name for this part of the country. Tanagata Whenua means the people fo this land. Iwi means tribe. Other names in Maori are the recognised place names.
Creator God
This anniversary
weekend we want to thank you for this place,
Tamaki
Makaurau, Auckland city our home
The sparkling
waters of Waitamata and island encrusted Hauraki gulf,
Our
sheltered east coast, Pohutukawa lined, white sand beaches.
The vast reach
of the Manukau, with hidden sand bar and fast tidal flow
The bush
clad slopes, and wave pounded iron sand of wild west coast
For the vista from volcanic cones and valley
with rich soil beneath
The
wilderness of Waitakere range and abundance of Bombay hills,
For its natural
beauty and the emerging city scape in which we live.
Loving God
This
anniversary weekend we want to thank you for this place
Tamaki Makaurau,
Auckland city, our home
For the Tangata
Whenua, the first people of this land,
Iwi with
deep roots and those who have heeded the urban call
For the
people who have come from “all over”, for new life in this place
Those who
came by settler ship or by quick or long haul airplane trip
We thank you
for the great wealth of cultures in this place
The world is
our neighbour and we are enriched
By all these
people made in your image and loved by you
God our
saviour
This anniversary
weekend we want to thank you for this place;
Tamaki Makaurau,
Auckland city our home
We thank you
for your saving love shown in Jesus Christ
His birth,
life, death and resurrection, reconciling us with you
Thank you
for those who have faithfully proclaimed the gospel here
Who have
lived out their faith in this place, with compassion and love
For those
who have gone before us, planting and growing your church
For our
brothers and sisters who seek to be your people today
We trust
your spirit to abide with, and lead future generations on
Holy God
This anniversary
weekend we confess our sin in this place
Tamaki Makaurau,
Auckland city our home
We confess the
Tangata Whenua have not been treated with justice
We confess greed
and self-interest have allowed inequality to grow
We have
stood by as poverty pushes people to the periphery and the edge
We confess
that while the world is our neighbour, we still seem to be so apart
We confess
we have done wrong and left undone the good you call us to do
Thank you
that you are faithful and just, thank you for Jesus Christ
That as we
confess our sins you forgive us and wipe the slate clean
God who is
with us by the Holy spirit
This anniversary
weekend we want to pray for this place
Tamaki Makaurau,
Auckland city, our home
Be with our
leaders and those who plan for our future
Give them
wisdom and courage, lead and guide them
Fill this
place with your love, compassion and justice
Help us all
to love our neighbour as you have loved us
Fill us
afresh with your spirit to be your people in this place
That all we
say and do will bring glory to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
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