About Us
Pray for the Nation
( also known as Intercessors for New Zealand )
Prayer Letters
Starting in January 1972, our printed monthly Prayer Letters went to many thousands of Christians in New Zealand and other countries. Many people received these in bulk and distributed them to other people, in their church, Bible Study or prayer group; or received one copy for their own personal use. In 1997 our Prayer Letters were also put online.
Each month these Prayer Letters contained a Bible Study on prayer, or a prayer-related topic, especially focusing on praying for the nation. Many of these Bible Studies have been collated into books on various themes. Excerpts from these books are on the Prayer Letters page (see the tab on the left). The books themselves are on the Bible Study Books page.
Prayer Updates and Occasional Updates
In 2000 we started to email weekly Prayer Updates which were sent to hundreds of Christians around the world.
These Prayer Updates were discontinued in 2022 but since then we have been emailing Occasional Updates (about monthly) to people who wished to receive them. See the Occasional Updates tab above.
Bible Study Books and Online
Most of the monthly Bible studies we have published over the past 50 years, as part of the Prayer Letters, have been collated into books, all of which are online. Click the Bible Study Books tab on the left for details of what is available. All of these can be copied and printed if you wish.
Thank you for choosing to pray for your nation!
Coordinator: Brian Caughley
Website: https://www.pray-for-the-nation.org/
Email: ifnz@xtra.co.nz
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New Zealand's National Anthem
We, in Aotearoa New Zealand, are so grateful to God for our divinely-inspired National Anthem, written by Thomas Bracken in 1876. He was also the first person to publish the term "God's Own Country" referring to New Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND'S NATIONAL ANTHEM
"GOD DEFEND NEW ZEALAND"
God of nations at Thy feet, in the bonds of love we meet
Hear our voices we entreat, God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star, from the shafts of strife and war
Make her praises heard afar; God defend New Zealand!
[The "triple star" refers to New Zealand's three main islands]
Men of every creed and race, gather here before Thy face
Asking Thee to bless this place; God defend our free land
From dissension, envy, hate, and corruption, guard our State
Make our country good and great; God defend New Zealand!
Peace not war shall be our boast, but should foes assail our coast
Make us then a mighty host; God defend our free land.
Lord of battles in Thy might, put our enemies to flight
Let our cause be just and right; God defend New Zealand!
Let our love for Thee increase; may Thy blessings never cease
Give us plenty, give us peace; God defend our free land
From dishonour and from shame, guard our country's spotless name
Crown her with immortal fame; God defend New Zealand!
May our mountains ever be, freedom's ramparts on the sea
Make us faithful unto Thee, God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nations' van, preaching love and truth to man
Working out Thy glorious plan; God defend New Zealand!
["van", as in "vanguard", means the front division of an army on the march,
or the front of the army in the line of battle]
Maori verse
E Ihowa Atua, O nga iwi matou ra [O Lord God, of all people]
Ata whakarongona, Me aroha noa. [Listen to us; cherish us.]
Kia hua ko te pai, Kia tau to atawhai [May good flourish; May Your blessings flow]
Manaakitia mai, Aotearoa! [Defend Aotearoa!]
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PARLIAMENTARY PRAYER
Our Parliament has been opened with prayer every sitting day,
since it first sat in 1854
"Almighty God, humbly acknowledging our need for Thy guidance in all things, and
laying aside all private and personal interests, we beseech Thee to grant that we may
conduct the affairs of this House and of our country to the glory of Thy holy name, the
maintenance of true religion and justice, the honour of the Queen, and the public
welfare, peace, and tranquillity of New Zealand, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
- Adopted by Resolution of the House, 1962.
However, this prayer was changed in 2017 to:
Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on New Zealand. Laying aside all personal interests, we pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility, for the public welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.
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2 Chronicles 7:14
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land"
1 Timothy 2:1-4
"First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for everyone; for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and dignity. This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, Who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."