Call To Pray For The Murray - Darling System

The Australian Prayer Network in conjunction with Australian Heart Ministries, Australian Indigenous Christian Ministries and the Australian Indigenous Prayer Network are calling the praying people of Australia to join in coordinated prayer for the healing of the inland river systems, in particular the Murray/Darling Rivers and tributaries.

2 Chronicle 7:14, 'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land'.

This initiative is a further step on the journey begun at last years National Solemn Assembly (NSA) towards the healing of our land and the breaking of the drought over our nation in both the physical and the spiritual. During the past 18 months since the NSA there has been substantial falls in many parts of the nation, particularly in the coastal cities and towns however many of the inland farming communities are still awaiting the drought breaking rains that will cause our river systems to resume normal flows and bring life back to the farmlands and wetlands that they have historically served.

A leaked scientific report says that parts of the Murray-Darling River System are 'beyond recovery' unless they get water by next month. A headline in the Herald Sun in Melbourne, 4th July 2008 said 'Murray River's Ugly End'. Peter Cosnier, member and director of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists said in the article, "The dire straits of the Murray mean we now face the end play of the shameful history of management of Australia's greatest river system." 

Warwick Marsh, Australian Heart Ministries and Peter Walker, Australian Indigenous Christian Ministries, are leading a two day pilgrimage along the Murray starting at the Hume Weir and concluding at the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers in Wentworth (near Mildura). The pilgrimage will be held on Tuesday 30th September and Wednesday 1st October 2008  Warwick and Peter are calling for the praying people of Australia to join with them in prayer for the healing of the inland river systems.

They are asking for folk who live in towns along the Murray to meet with them for prayer and communion as they follow the river through the farming communities adjacent, over those two days.  Folk are also invited to celebrate Holy Communion and to pray at the headwaters and dams of the rivers and creeks that feed into the Murray-Darling River System. The act of taking communion is a celebration of the Lord Jesus Christ's death and resurrection and a public proclamation of the grace of God across our nation. If possible it would be good to hold the prayer gatherings in local communities to coincide with the arrival of the pilgrimage at either 5.30PM on Wednesday 1st October to coincide with the gathering at Wentworth (Frank Fatherby Park) or at 7.30PM the same night when a final prayer rally will be conducted in Mildura (venue to be announced). 

Those on the Murray between Wentworth and its entry to the sea in South Australia are also invited to join in the prayers at the same time as mentioned above. If anyone wants to make a pilgrimage down the Darling (following the route by closest road) to reach Wentworth on 1st October or to pick up the baton at Wentworth and take it on through South Australia following the route of the Murray on the 2nd and 3rd October they should contact us at apn@ausprayernet.org.au or by phone to 02 9876.2419

Those wishing to join the pilgrimage for the full distance, or to meet with Warwick Marsh and Peter Walker as they travel and pray along the way, or who intend to hold prayer gatherings at towns along the tributaries, please let us know of your plans so that we can coordinate all plans to give those participating a feel for what is happening in other parts of the nation.  Folks in all parts of the nation  are welcome to also pray along with the pilgrimage in their own homes or in Churches should they wish.

Let us join hands with our brothers and sisters of the inland areas of NSW, Victoria, and South Australia and pray for the mercy of God to be poured out on 'this dry and thirsty land'. We also ask that we lift the farmers in prayer as they bear the burden and pain of the drought. We need the rain of the Holy Spirit as well as natural rain. Let the words of Ezekiel 47 come to pass so that Australia might truly become the 'Great South Land of the Holy Spirit'. May the coming rain be a sign to our nation of the coming outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Further news will be given as we get closer to the event date.  Any queries should be directed to Australian Heart Ministries at info@ausheart.com.au or on 02 4272.9100

NEWS UPDATE & SCHEDULE

RELEASED 25 September

The purpose of the Murray Darling Prayer Pilgrimage is to rally people together to pray for a flood of rain to fill the dams and clean out the Murray Darling River System and avert a human and ecological disaster. Those across Australia who wish to pray in unity with the team as they undertake their pilgrimage may do so by praying at one or more of the times given below co-inciding with the gatherings at the various communities along the route. 
 
Warwick Marsh said, "The inland areas of Victoria and New South Wales have been in the grip of a severe drought for seven years. Some places have suffered longer. This has caused unspeakable hardship for our farmers and regional communities. The Murray Darling river system is in a very poor state with no water for irrigation for many years now. The situation is extremely serious. A leaked scientific report has warned of an irreversible ecological disaster unless major rain falls by October."
 
Warwick Marsh and Ps Peter Walker are asking Christian church leaders, local dignitaries, members of parliament, state government representatives, and members of the public to join with them in special prayer services along the river. They also invite others to join them on the journey. For further information visit http://www.murraydarlingprayer.org.au/ 
  
Peter Walker said, "There has been a lot of talk about climate change. The best way to produce a climate change favourable for rain, is through prayer. This is our reason for the Murray Darling Prayer Pilgrimage. We invite you to join us as we pray for the healing of our rivers and land."
 
The Murray Darling Prayer Pilgrimage will start at 12 noon at the Hume Weir on Tuesday 30th September and conclude in the Mildura/Wentworth area on the evening of 1st October 2008. A team will also be progressing from Adelaide, South Australia. Each prayer service will be held for approx 30 minutes. During each prayer service local dignitaries and church leaders will be asked to bring a brief greeting and/or lead in prayer and/or give a bible reading. Warwick Marsh and Ps Peter Walker will do likewise and then lead in a short communion service with prayers for the healing of the land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Isaiah 43:19-21. All those present will be invited to pray and participate as they feel led.
 
For further information please contact:

Warwick Marsh 0418 225 212                                                                                                
Phone: 02 4272 9100                                                                            
 
Peter Walker  0434 248 060
Phone: 02 9677 0567

Schedule for Murray Darling Prayer Pilgrimage 
 
Tuesday 30th September 2008                                 
Hume Weir - 12 noon             30th September 2008               
Contact Ps Glenda Taylor         0439 582 382  or         02 6059 5974
(Sussan Ley MP will take part in prayer service at the Weir)                                                     
 
Albury/Wodonga - 1 pm         30th September 2008   
Contact Ps Glenda Taylor         0439 582 382 or         02 6059 5974
Amphitheatre (near Information Centre on The Causeway)       
 
Howlong - 2.10 pm                  30th September 2008 (Short prayer time)                                 
Contact Anne Brown                0412 336 222  or         02 6029 4219
Memorial Park, Victoria St, Howlong                                      
 
Corowa - 3 pm                        30th September 2008               
Contact Ps Mark Francis          0403 432 983  or         02 6033 0652             
Old Corowa Bridge (near rowing club)                                                
                                                                                                           
Tocumwal - 5 pm                    30th September 2008
Contact Ps Val Head                0428 852 371  or         03 5885 2371                                     
Contact Liz Spicer                    0408 671 216
At the 'Big Fish' on riverbank                                                   
                                                                                   
Echuca - 6.30 pm                    30th September 2008               
Contact Greg Jasper     03 5489 7249
Aquatic Reserve - Victorian side near Information Centre
 
Echuca - 7.30 pm                    30th September 2008
Prayer Rally at Echuca Community Church
13 Rose St Echuca VIC 3564
 
Wednesday 1st October 2008
Barham - 10 am                      1st October 2008
Contact Mayor Ken Trewin  0428 531 889
Contact Ps Geoff Leslie            0438 492 077  or         03 5453 2250
Riverside Park - NSW side
 
Swan Hill - 12 noon                1st October 2008
Contact Chris Lahy                   0427 540 388  or         03 5037 2600
Riverside Park - Victorian side near bridge
(John Forrest MP is hoping to take part)
 
Robinvale - 3 pm                    1st October 2008
Contact Ps Brian Cavanagh      0416 604 660  or         0407 323 738
Lower Cut, near river, off McLennan Drive
 
Wentworth - 5.30 pm              1st October 2008
Contact Ps Des Kranz              0439 443 266  or         03 5023 8258
Meet at Junction Park - Cardell St, Wentworth
 
Mildura - 7.30 pm                  1st October 2008
Contact Ps Des Kranz              0439 443 266  or         03 5023 8258
Living Waters Community Church
Cnr Tenth St & Orange Ave, Mildura
 
 
South Australian Murray Prayer Pilgrimage
1st October 2008
 
A small team led by Hugh Magarey will travel up the Murray from Adelaide stopping at a number of places along the Murray River, on their way to meet with those travelling down the river at the Mildura/Wentworth prayer gatherings.
 
Loxton  - 2.30 pm Central Standard Time (3.00PM EST)           1st October 2008
Contact Hugh Magarey            0417 857 719 or            08 8278 1219
 

Source: Australian Heart Ministries