Before All Else, Pray

When Jesus looked upon the crowds in Galilee, He said to His disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matt 9:37–38).

How true this feels for us today. In our parishes, one of our constant pain points is that we don’t seem to have enough people to help — enough catechists, musicians, readers, leaders, or volunteers. The work is great, and the workers are few. Yet notice what Jesus tells us: the answer to this need is not first to scramble for more rosters or to recruit harder, but to pray. Renewal begins on our knees, asking the Lord of the harvest to send labourers.

As we approach the Hope and Renewal Summit (2–4 October in Palmerston North), this same call echoes in our hearts. Renewal in our parishes will not come through human effort alone. It begins, is sustained, and bears fruit only through prayer.

That is why prayer is at the very centre of the Summit and must be part of our wider diocesan mission plan. Prayer creates space for encounter with Jesus. And out of encounter flows renewal, courage, and mission.

At the Summit itself, prayer will not be something “extra” or “optional.” It will be the very heartbeat of the gathering:

• • Perpetual Adoration will be held throughout the Summit, so that at every moment someone is interceding before the Lord on behalf of our Diocese, our parishes, and all those gathered.
  • Prayer and worship will frame our time together, reminding us that everything we do is rooted in God’s presence.

But our prayer does not begin or end with the Summit. In the months leading up, we have invited everyone to take part in a weekly prayer with themes, uniting us across the Diocese. We will also be praying a special novena for the Summit (25 September – 3 October), culminating on the opening day.

These prayers are not simply for an event; they are for the renewal of our parishes. Without prayer, our efforts risk becoming just another programme. But with prayer, the Spirit breathes new life. Prayer tills the soil of our hearts and prepares our communities to receive the seeds of renewal.

So let us answer Jesus’ invitation. Let us become a people of prayer. As we look toward October, may our Diocese resound with one voice, lifted in prayer for the renewal of our parishes, for the hope of our people, and for the mission of Christ in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Before all else, we pray — and we trust that God will do more than we can ask or imagine. The harvest is plentiful, and the time is now. Commit to prayer for our Diocese, our parishes, and the Hope and Renewal Summit.

For more information about the Summit including programme details, speakers, and how to register visit www.hoperenewalsummit.com.