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For a structured approach to prayer, a pattern to follow, or a framework from which to launch into your own prayers, you could try following the ancient rhythms of daily prayer, assured that others are praying simultaneously. Traditionally there were 3 major offices and 4 minor ones. But a simplified approach is to pray Morning Prayer between 6 and 9 am, Midday Prayer between 11.00am and 2.00pm and Evening Prayer between 5 and 8 pm.
You can pray with the Church at these times by using prayer books or simply praying the Lord’s Prayer, and then interceding for specific people and the world. Here are 3 prayers from the “Divine Hours” you could pray:
Morning: Lord God Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power that I may not fall into sin nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ, my Lord.
Midday: Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared a place for us in your Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil until the end.
Evening: Keep watch dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
You can pray Luther’s morning and evening prayer.
Morning:
Thank you, heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, for protecting me all night from harm and danger. Protect me today from all sin and evil, so that everything I do will please you. I put myself, and all I have into your hands. Send your holy angel to be with me, so that the devil will have no power over me. Amen.
Evening:
Thank you, heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, for being good to me and protecting me today. Forgive me all the wrong things I have done. Protect me tonight. I put myself and all I have into your hands. Send your holy angel to be with me, so that the devil will have no power over me. Amen.
Or a traditional prayer for peace.
Peace:
Lord God, from whom all holy desires, all good purposes, and all right works proceed: Give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give. Defend us from the fear of our enemies and set our hearts to obey your commandments, so that we may live on earth in rest and quietness. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Is your Safe Church training up to date?
As 2026 begins, now is a timely opportunity to review Safe Church requirements and ensure that you – and members of your congregation – are compliant.
The LCANZ will continue to offer two flexible online Safe Church training options in 2026:
- self-paced online training
- live online webinars.
Both options are designed to assist congregations, ministry leaders and volunteers with completing their Safe Church requirements in ways that suit their circumstances.
Upcoming training dates
Several live online Safe Church training webinars are scheduled for February, March and April. Live sessions are arranged in response to actual or anticipated demand.
For example, a Level 1 session is scheduled for Sunday 15 March 2026, reflecting recent demand for weekend Level 1 training. At this stage, no Level 2 sessions are scheduled for weekends because of insufficient demand.
Full details – including dates, times and registration information for live webinars – are available on the Safe Church training webpage at www.lca.org.au/safe-church-training/#upcoming-training
Those needing a reminder about who is required to complete Safe Church training can consult the Safe Church Training Overview for guidance.
Assisting with planning
Live online sessions are scheduled according to need. If there is a preferred time that would better suit a congregation or individual, this can be nominated via the Safe Church Service Desk. Indicating preferred training times assists with planning and with meeting training needs across Australia and New Zealand.
Phone: 1800 418 588 (Australia only)
Email: safechurch@lca.org.au
Support is available
Online training can feel challenging for some participants. Support is available for congregational members registering for self-paced online training. Participants are encouraged to contact the Safe Church Service Desk during business hours for assistance with the registration process.
Safe Church Coordinators may also consider organising small groups in homes or at church to participate in live online webinars together. This approach can support members who are less confident with technology. Many congregations have found it an effective way to help people complete their training requirements.
Ensuring Safe Church training is up to date is an important part of fostering safe ministry environments.
Grow as a young leader with Cultivate
4 February 2026
Are you 18–25 years old? Do you want to grow as a disciple of Jesus, develop confidence in sharing the gospel and build meaningful relationships with other young adults in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia?
LCA International Mission’s year-long young adult leadership program, Cultivate, could be for you.
Cultivate offers participants the chance to deepen their faith, grow in spiritual practices, build intercultural understanding and develop confidence in sharing the gospel in meaningful and natural ways. The program includes weekly virtual sessions, mentoring, faith practices and two intensive components – one in Australia and one in Indonesia.
What’s involved:
- Virtual connections: 1.5 hours weekly for 10 weeks
- Mentoring: minimum 15 hours (starting April 2026)
- Faith practices: minimum 7 hours weekly for 10 weeks
- Intensive 1: Australia
- Intensive 2: Stretch & Grow experience in Indonesia
The program runs from March 2026 to February 2027. Applications close 1 March 2026.
Cost: $2,000. Participants are encouraged to seek financial support from their congregation or personal networks if needed.
For more information, contact Erin Kerber at erin.kerber@lca.org.au or download the promotional flyer.
The great story of death and life
17 February 2026
by Paul Smith, LCANZ Bishop
Ash Wednesday means we are getting ready for Good Friday and Easter: the great story of death and life.
We are so used to thinking that death is final, but the death of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday changes that forever.
His death brings life! How does that work?
Crucifixion was a terrible way to die, but Jesus went to the cross out of love for the world. On the cross, although he was the sinless Holy One of Israel, Jesus took upon himself the sin of the world. He dies for sin and gives us his righteousness as a free gift as we are baptised into his death. Through the work of Jesus on the cross, we receive our peace with God. Dr Martin Luther has taught us to call this the great exchange. The death of Jesus gives the free gift of eternal life for all who believe.
Each year, we get ready for the Easter holidays with delicious chocolates, buns and bunnies, but in the background, there is always the cross. For Christians, the cross is no longer the sign of suffering and death that it was for people in the Roman Empire at the time of Jesus. The cross is a sign of hope because of all that Jesus has done for us.
For Jesus, Good Friday was a matter of life and death.
Because of Jesus, Good Friday is now a matter of death and life – for our sake.
‘If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him’ (2 Timothy 2:11,12).
God guide you and your family as you travel through the Lenten season this year, to the cross and empty tomb of our gracious Lord Jesus, to live as people of hope in the resurrection of the dead and of the life of the world to come.
In Christ,
Rev Paul Smith
Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand