Exclusive report: talks start between Church officials and PM’s advisors for a National Day of Prayer.

What does a Prime Minister do when his mail brings in bags of letters asking for a national day of prayer? We now know his staff put them together and send them to the National Council of Churches (NCCA) with a note indicating these requests appear to be a matter for the churches.

What has led to the letters to the PM and also the G-G in the last few months? It’s a potpourri of events – bushfires threatening to burn down all of Canberra, September 11, the Bali bombings, armed troops with tanks in Baghdad and Tikrit, war casualties, civilian deaths and looting, SARS – and added to all of those, a further, though as yet minute cloud on the horizon, George W. Bush accusing Syria of possessing chemical weapons. His intelligence agencies have apparently reported that Syria possesses stockpiles of the nerve gas sarin and is believed to have an active biological program.

It’s no small wonder that people are uncertain, insecure and afraid for the future as well as for the present. They just can’t get away from it all and are struggling to cope.

Some politicians haven’t helped with their charge against the Government that committing Australian troops to the war against Iraq will make Australia a ready and immediate target for a new wave of outraged Islamicist terrorism. That may or may not prove to be true, but it could also be a prophecy bringing its own response in its train.

As well there has been in the media a constant barrage of reporting from ‘embedded’ journalists – courageous though they may be – along with streams of ‘expert’ interpretation from superannuated former military chiefs making a mint from this retirement opportunity. We all need to be informed, but surely there’s a time to say “Too much, no more!”

Social commentator Hugh Mackay wrote recently in Fairfax media outlets (11/4/03) that it’s possible to cope with a constant stream of bad news or perceived threats from unpredictable matters beyond our control by ‘reaching out.’ He said in the present intense climate of threat and acute anxiety, people have developed all kinds of coping strategies – gardening, adult education classes, cooking, having another child, even seeking the solace of religion. But, said Mr Mackay, “Nothing comforts us like the experience of mutual acceptance and support within a circle of family and friends, or the rock-like security of another person’s unconditional love.”

That is absolutely correct, but I happen to believe that the option of ‘seeking solace in religion’ is a form of reaching out. Indeed it is that seeking that brings one into an immediate context of experiencing the reality of unconditional love, the rock-like love of God demonstrated in the saving death and resurrection of Jesus that brings salvation from sin to repentant sinners and wholeness in their being.

So those who have written to Canberra requesting a National Day of Prayer are aware of the profound and real solace and the healing for troubled souls that prayer can bring to the nation.

The NCCA has responded warmly to the letters. Last month an initial meeting was held in Canberra with public servants from the PM’s and Cabinet offices and from the Department of Multicultural Affairs along with the planning committee set up by the NCCA Executive. It comprises the Rev John Henderson, NCCA General Secretary, Professor James Haire, President of the Uniting Church, Archbishop Carroll, who is President of the National Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and myself. The PM is supportive of the planning and has indicated he will if possible attend an event for this Day of Prayer, though he doesn’t want to be involved in the organisation. The real extent of his interest will of course be shown by his response to the funding application for financial support.

Since this is to be a National Day of Prayer and Reflection – in the second half of this year, and probably October – then it will be important that everyone is involved. This means all congregations and fellowship groups, and also all faith groupings in this nation. Organisers know that people of different faiths – especially Christians and Muslims – usually don’t support the concept of praying together, though many might be prepared to pray beside each other. But there is no reason why everyone in their own faith grouping can’t be involved in prayer on one day for the nation. That prayer would be for peace and a hopeful future, and for a careful consideration of what are the real values that undergird and give meaning to life both for individuals and the community.

Watch out for this National Day and make it part of your fellowship’s reflection this year.