The Year of the Child 2003

MEDIA RELEASE

“PRAYER OUR PRIORITY!” By Brady Williams*

The Year of the Child 2003 project is well under way with churches, groups and organisations involved in the Year of the Child State Committees around the nation.

Many of those involved are enhancing their activities and strategies toward an even greater involvement of children than has been seen for some years.

Children’s Ministry Coordinators and leaders are already enjoying greater profile and support, with churches addressing greater resource needs of the children’s ministry activities at their state and local levels. The build up for next year’s initiatives will have an immediate impact upon the programmes for the school holidays about to begin for many primary school children.

The first objective of The Year of the Child 2003 initiative is “to raise up prayer for every child” in the nation.

Prayer is the way for every Christian to be involved!

Our 4,000,000 children are facing issues and worries not experienced for decades, with the horrors of the Bali bombing touching the sense of security of every Australian adult and child. Few have not been touched with the pain of these past weeks.

If there is a way to draw strength and resolve – it is to pray and to put our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray that all Australians will recognise the providence of God over our nation and consider afresh their faith.

In the 1996 Census, 70.9% indicated that they considered themselves as belonging to one of the many denominations involved in The Year of the Child 2003. Last year’s National Church Life Survey showed that 10% of the nation was in attendance at a church that day. Australia’s culture and heritage is strongly Christian.

Let’s make it known, but also let us all first continue to pray.

*Brady Williams – Publicity Coordinator of the Year of the Child.