MU Thought for the Week - Downloads

Sunday, December 27, 2027

Shining the Light into 2027

'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’  (Hebrews 13:8)

The last Sunday of 2026. The beginning of a new year. Time passes. Some of us have much to look forward to. Some of us have very little. But as Christians we know this, that whether we look back, or to the present moment, or to the future, Jesus Christ is there. He will walk with us through all time and in every experience we may have. He is utterly dependable, ‘the same yesterday, today and forever’. We thank God for the provision of over 150 years of Mothers Union and pray that it may continue faithful to Jesus and a blessing to women all around the world, especially as we seek to promote Christian marriage and family life.

Question for thought:  What do I thank God for?

Gracious Lord, we give you thanks for Mary Sumner and the 150 years of Mothers Union. Guide us in the way ahead as we continue to support marriage and Christian family life in our churches and communities. We pray for Robin Ray as she leads the AMUA Executive and encourages members throughout Australia. May your Name be honoured and glorified.  Amen.

Sunday, December 20, 2026

The Light of the World has Come

'The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it’  (John 1:5)

Christmas! What joy this is, especially as we hear the story once again and sing the songs which tell us about Jesus. Jesus said that he is the Light of the World. That gives us hope and enables us to love others. But what if the light is put out? That is what happened when Jesus was crucified. Darkness came. You can imagine how Mary and the Apostles felt about this. But the Light of the World cannot be extinguished. Even in his death he forgave those who had done this to him, and he died that we may be forgiven. And then, there was Resurrection. He returns, he rules, he sends his Spirit, he prays for us. Even the most evil of the forces in this world cannot overcome the Light of the World. Of that we may be sure.

Question for thought:  Am I still trusting Jesus even when I see the darkness of this world?

Gracious God, As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour we pray that all nations come and seek Jesus, the light of the world. We give you thanks Heavenly Father that you ‘ loved the world so much that you gave your only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16)  Amen.

Sunday, December 13, 2026

God With Us

'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”). ’ (Matthew 1:23)

Recently a family member of mine went on a bicycle tour of one of the most remote and dangerous places on earth. It was a comfort to know that a mate went with him – and that they returned home safe. The name ‘Immanuel’ given to Jesus here, in accordance with the prophecy of Isaiah, means ‘God with us’. Not just that God is everywhere, though that is true. Rather, in Jesus, the Son of God, we have God with us as our companion, our leader, our protector, our shepherd, our Saviour. In him our sins are forgiven and we walk with him every day until we go to be with him in all eternity. Who would you rather have with you?

Question for thought:  Why not learn the 23rd Psalm off by heart? (If you know it already, say it aloud!)

Our Father in heaven, we pray for members in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe as they care and support families and children. May they have opportunity to encourage those they help to know you. We pray too, for Caroline Earl, President in the Diocese of the Murray and that the Families Equip Parenting program will continue to support parents raising their families. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

Sunday, December 6, 2026

The Light of the World

'When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life”’  (John 8:12)

Just imagine going back to the days before electric light. Think how dangerous the world was in those days, especially if you ventured out. A hole could be waiting for you to trip into; a criminal could be waiting to assault you; an animal could be waiting to have you for dinner – as the main dish. The coming of the sun was very welcome every day. Jesus describes himself as the true light of the world. The one who enables you to see; the one who enables you to walk without fear; the one who gives you hope. When Jesus is in your life, you have ‘the light of life’. What a blessing!

Question for thought:  How does Jesus give me life?

All powerful God, break the patterns of abuse committed down the generations. Transform attitudes and behaviour for current and future relationships. We pray for all to follow Christ’s example of treating women with equality and respect. We pray for the dawn of a better world where justice and peace may flourish.  Amen. (Mothers Union Prayer Diary)

Sunday, November 29, 2026

A Light in the Darkness

'At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory’ 

(Mark 13:26)

Jesus has come. Jesus is coming again. In his first appearing he was judged by those who crucified him. In his next appearing he will be the Judge of all and put all things to right. This is the season of Advent, in which we think of the second coming of Jesus. But even now he is the Light of the World, he is the one who rules and who saves and who directs his people in the way we should go. We have faith in him, because we have entrusted our lives to him. We have hope in him because we know that he will come again with power and glory. And we have love for him because he died so that we may be forgiven. And this faith, hope and love leads us to care for those around us, sharing the truth of the Saviour, looking after their needs and standing for justice and truth.

Question for thought:  Is my hope in Jesus?

Gracious heavenly Father, we do pray for our sisters in Barrackpore, India as they support stable family life, protect children and help women to gain financial independence. May the love of Christ shine though all they do.   Amen.

Sunday, November 22, 2026

An Agent of Change

'Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God’  (Ruth 1:16)

I love the story of Ruth. Her world had collapsed with the death of her husband. The best thing to do was to farewell her mother-in-law, Naomi, and return to her own people, the Moabites. Instead, she sets out with Naomi for Israel and declares that she will not leave her. She is going to become one of the people of Israel and she is going to make the God of Israel her God. It was a momentous decision. It changed her life forever, not least when she married Boaz. In the very last verse of the book we see the power of her decision working itself out – she becomes the great-grandmother of King David and therefore an ancestor of the Lord Jesus. We have many challenges in our world, not least the need to take a stand against violence towards women. Ruth shows us that faith leads to action.

Question for thought:  Would I have made the choice that Ruth did?

As this week begins the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence we pray:

‘Almighty and everlasting God, we pray to you for those who suffer from gender-based violence. We pray for the victims of such abuse and ask that you will heal, renew and guard them. We ask that they will bring their cares to you who care for them. We pray that we may see the end to such evil and a new day of peace and sacrificial love. And this we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus.’  Amen.

Sunday, November 15, 2026

Discerning the will of God

'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ 

(John 14:6)

At work, at home, at church, at the shop – in fact anywhere – how do we know what another person wants of us? The basic answer is that they use words to tell us what they want. The most important person in our lives is God, and the aim of our life is to please him. How do we know what pleases him? Through his word, the word which tells us who he is and what he wants of us. That is why the words of Jesus, God the Son, are so important to us. He tells us that he is the way and the truth and the life, the light of the world. He invites us into a relationship with God and that we enter it by turning to him and putting our trust in him. There is no other way, and there is no greater blessing.

Question for thought:  How do I know what pleases God?

Gracious God, this week we especially pray for members in Bagdad, Iraq. We thank you for their deep faith and trust in you and ask for your richest blessing on all they do as they reach out to families and vulnerable individuals always showing the love of Christ. We also give thanks for the opportunity our members recently had in Bendigo to promote Mothers Union through the local Christian radio station. Pray that those who listened will have been challenged to think of their relationship with our heavenly Father.  Amen.

Sunday, November 8, 2026

The Voice of a Stranger

'Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him’  

(Psalm 34:8)

When we think of the Lord Jesus, and all that he has done for us, we want to be like him. One thing we see in the gospels is a person who cared for the individual, for the people who were despised or rejected by the world around them. Think of the leper and how Jesus touched him. Think of the woman who washed his feet and how Jesus spoke up for her. Think of the woman who was taken in adultery, and how Jesus saved her. Think of the thief dying beside him on the cross and how Jesus assured him of a life in Paradise. All around us, both where we live and across the world, there are needy people, often alone in their suffering. We are blessed to have taken refuge in the Lord and to know Jesus. It is wonderful that there are so many organisations, including Mothers Union, which reach out with blessing to those in need. We can support them and pray for them. But let us not forget our next-door neighbour and the person with a sad face we see in the street. We can always pray for such people, and ask that they too will ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.’ 

Question for thought:  What strangers do I care for?

Gracious heavenly Father, we bring our members in the Diocese of Ottawa, Canada before you and pray for their wide range of community work including marriage support, parenting programs, providing food and campaigning against gender-based violence. Give them wisdom, humility and compassion as they serve you. May it be to your glory.  Amen

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Clothed with the garments of salvation

'My soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness.’  (Isaiah 61:10)

One of the huge blessings which we have received from the Lord is the life and fellowship of our Christian family, both now and in the history of our faith. Today is All Saints Day, when we thank God for this special blessing, remembering that all who are in Christ are called ‘saints’ in the New Testament. But, of course, the only reason we can be called saints is that, unworthy as we are, we are clothed with the garments of salvation and in a robe of his righteousness. Through the cross of Christ we are washed clean and clothed with righteousness. No wonder we sing ‘Amazing Grace, who saved a wretch like me’! Our souls rejoice in our God.

Question for the thought:  How can I be called a saint? (see Ephesians 1:1)

Almighty God, we pray for our members in the Diocese of Lebombo in Mozambique and pray for their pastoral work among the sick and poor in their families and communities as well as providing relief during times of disaster. Pray that the young girls are well trained and nurtured in the ways of the Lord so that membership of Mothers Union can be sustained. Lord, we pray for members in the large rural Diocese of the Riverina in NSW and particularly at this time for the election of a new Bishop.  Amen. 

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Lightening the Load

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28)

If you are like me, these words have been part of your life from very early days, because they are quoted in the service of Holy Communion. Again and again, they have been such a comfort. We have rest from our sin in the forgiveness we have through Jesus. We know that he walks with us every day and we can cast our cares on him. He directs us into the paths of righteousness and teaches us his way. How wonderful it is that these words belong to our Christian sisters and brothers around the world. How important it is that we support the work of mission, of sharing the good news about Jesus with people everywhere. We pray that the Lord will help us share the good news about Jesus with everyone today.

Question for thought: How do I support the work of mission all around the world?

Loving God, we give you thanks and praise for members in All Saints Cathedral in Kenya. We pray for those who live in poor conditions in the slums, those whose lives have been affected by HIV/Aids, for the widows and the victims of child abuse. Enable members to begin to meet these needs as well as enhance the spiritual growth of the women as they meet together. Amen.

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Speak out

‘Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy’ (Proverbs 31:9)

When you attend church, you soon become aware of the large number of organisations and missions set up by Christians to care for those who are in great need. This is a wonderful thing, and it reflects the obedience of so many people to the word of God. It is not long before you become the recipient of many pleas for financial help by such organisations. You cannot help all, but that does not mean that you should not help some. It may be a good idea to take one or two of these wonderful ministries and to support them generously. We can become deeply interested in what they are doing and grow in our knowledge of specific human need. Of course, when a catastrophe occurs, such as the recent disaster in Nepal, we should not hesitate to offer more help. We may not be in a position to give large sums of money, but it is not the size which matters as much as the knowledge that as we have been loved by God, so should we love those around us.

Question for thought: Am I a generous person because God has been generous to me?

Heavenly Father, we pray for members in the Dioceses of High Veld and Kimberley and Kuruman in South Africa where many families face significant challenges including

unemployment, crime and domestic violence. We give thanks that members show your love as they care and support those who are struggling. Amen.

Sunday, October 11, 2026

Losing the chains

‘If you abide in my word…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ (John 8:31-32)

When we play tennis, we find that the freedom to play the game involves keeping the rules. It is not tennis if we play without a net and disregard the lines on the court. Jesus tells us

that if we want to experience true freedom it is not through merely doing whatever we want. It is by abiding in his word. When we do that, we live as we were designed to live and find the joy of freedom. Part of this freedom is to put Jesus first in our lives and to look after others. It is good to think of the needs of the most vulnerable and deprived, such as prisoners in gaol. The word of Jesus is truth, and the truth will set you free. That is where joy and peace is to be found.

Question for thought: Am I abiding in the Word of the Lord?

Gracious Lord, our hearts are deeply troubled by the constant persecution against Christians in Nigeria. We do pray for our members in the Dioceses of Jos and Akoko. May they have courage as they continue to stand firm for the truth. Pray for members as they visit in hospitals and prisons, care for children and comfort them with your Word. Amen.

Sunday, October 4, 2026

Seeking Freedom

‘For freedom Christ has sent us free.’ (Galatians 5:2)

It is only natural that young people seek freedom. They usually understand freedom to mean being able to throw off the authority of others and simply to do whatever they would like to do. One of the benefits of going to church is that we learn to mix with people of all ages. Older people, including grandparents, can guide by word and action and show that freedom is not found by simply doing what we want to do. Instead, it is found in giving our lives to and living under Christ’s wise and loving rule. Jesus brings forgiveness and sets us free from judgement. When we give our lives to Christ, we find out what it really means to be human, and we discover that true freedom is found in forgiveness and in loving and serving others.

Question for thought: Am I truly free?

Almighty God, we pray for members in Auckland, New Zealand as they support families, marriages and teenage mothers and also raise awareness, through Christian fellowship and outreach, of child abuse in communities. We also pray for the Diocese of North Kigezi in Uganda. Thank you for the partnership they have with the Diocese of Armidale in the training of Sunday School teachers and in assisting clergy families. Amen.