16th August 2026 Pentecost 12 Isaiah 56:7c

…..for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

Something I have experienced at large gatherings of church such as Synod is the invitation to say the Lord’s Prayer in the language of their heart.  There are many voices Loud and soft speaking many languages.  Everyone saying a prayer to God in a language that they are comfortable with.  For me these times are when I am reminded that God not only speaks and understands English, he also understands all the languages of the world.

The church as a house of prayer to all nations.  What could that look and feel like?  There would be many people in the church.  It would be obvious that they have come from a variety of backgrounds.  Not everyone present may understand or speak English.  Yet everyone has gathered for one reason – to worship God.  Yet how often do we assume that us as Australians and English speaking are the only ones who can worship God.  Perhaps this is the time to say that the Bible was not originally written in English – it was written in Hebrew and Greek.  Today the Bible is written in many languages including some of the Indigenous languages of Australia.  My experience from worship at Longford (where there are a couple of Bibles available in languages other than English) is that if people can read the Bible in their own language it helps them to be part of the service and to understand the Bible readings – that is they do not have to try and read English which they may not be very good at.

Perhaps it is time to reconsider what God’s house may look like if it was a house of prayer for all nations – not just people who can read and understand English.

Shirley Bowers

Lay Preacher