A number of opportunities for prayer and Bible reflection on the Victorian bushfire tragedy have been organised in Sydney for this week.

A Special Prayer Service for the Victorian Bushfire Disaster will be held at St Andrew's Cathedral "¨at 6pm this evening, Wednesday February 11. "¨

The Rev Chris Moroney, senior assistant minister at the Cathedral has explained that the prayer service is being combined with the weekly Healing Service which is held at that time.

The Rev Christopher Allan, the leader of the Cathedral Healing Ministry, will be preaching. "¨"¨

"Pray that the city of Sydney will respond to this call to prayer," Mr Moroney says. "We will gather to express our concern and sympathy for all the victims of the bushfire disaster."¨We will pray for each one to know God’s care and comfort and healing. We will hear the latest news about the tragic events and hear about relief efforts." "¨

A collection will also be taken for the Archbishop’s Emergency Bushfire Appeal.

St Philip’s York Street for north CBD

There opportunities for city workers to pray and reflect on the bushfires at both ends of the city tomorrow, Thursday February 12.

The Rev Justin Moffatt who has just flown in from New York to take up the position at St Philip’s, Church Hill, has announced he will lead a prayer service there at 1pm.

“Laurel and I arrived into Sydney last week, into a country in the middle of a devastating firestorm,” he has written on his personal blog. “I [now] have the key to St Philip’s Church Hill in the city… Join me and others in prayer and quiet reflection at the church (3 York St, Sydney). If you work in the city, especially at the northern end of the city, then you are welcome to join us. This may also be something for your workmates, who struggle to understand.”

Mr Moffatt says there will be practical ways to contribute to the victims at the service.

City Bible Forum for south CBD

The 2009 launch of the lunchtime City Bible Forum was also postponed today and replaced with a special one-off event: ‘Where is God in the bushfires?’.

The Rev Dominic Steele from Christians in the Media spoke at the lunchtime event.

“I think it is important when people are crying out asking, ‘Where is God in this tragedy?’, that Christian ministry stands up and says God is there and God is loving,” says Mr Steele. “I think it is important that we come together and listen to what God is saying to us at this time.”

For city south workers, the talk will be repeated at the St Andrew’s Cathedral Chapter House at 1pm on Thursday.

Mr Steele is also encouraging all city workers to bring friends who may be unsettled by the events in Victoria.