These resources have been prepared for you to use in your worship to support Turakina Maori Girls College with your love, your prayers and your financial support.
I want your hearts to be encouraged and united in love so that all may have the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery that is Christ himself. Col 2:2
Almighty God, giver of life, you have called us by name and surrounded us with your love.
We thank you that today, as the Body of Christ, we can witness that love to the young women at Turakina Maori Girls’ College, through our prayers, our financial support and our efforts to create in Aotearoa a land where all young people are able to grow to potential.
We pray for these special young women. Watch over them, loving God, guard them as they grow in faith. Give them wisdom and understanding, and a great compassion for their neighbours. We do not ask that you will keep them safe from life's dangers, but that you will guide them through the discoveries and turmoils of youth, so that like Jesus, they may grow in wisdom and stature and in favour with you and all people.
We would pray that each young woman might know you for herself and declare her commitment to you. Give each one the precious gifts of faith, hope and love.
Bless the school and the hostel – May our kura (school) be a place of warmth, love and laughter, a place where joy and sorrow are shared alike, a place of open learning, a place of security, mutual respect and encouragement, a place where seniors care for juniors and where every person is listened to, a place where history is honoured and justice is sought.
Bless the staff at the college and in the hostel. Show them your will and help them to live accordingly. Strengthen our resolve to be your servants, to worship you and celebrate the story of our faith, to love one another as you have loved us.
Bless the families that love and support them from their homes; may these young women treasure their culture and their heritage so that they learn to stand tall with mana wairua, mana mãori, mana wahine, mana matauranga (translation: to stand tall as a people of spirit, as Maori, as women, as those open to learning)
We pray these prayers in the name of Jesus, who welcomed young people into his presence and blessed them.
Amen
1. E te Atua, aroha mai… x3 O God, love us
Ake ake, tonu e…x2 Forever and ever
2. E te Atua manaaki mai … O God, bless us
3. E te Atua awhina mai... O God, enfold us