Daily Prayer Calendar - September

(Prepared by Lilian Schmid)

September - Charity and Not for Profit Welfare

A charitable organisation is a type of non-profit organisation (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals as well as social well-being (e.g. charitable, educational, religious, or other activities serving the public interest or common good).

The legal definition of charitable organisation (and of charity) varies according to the country and in some instances the region of the country in which the charitable organisation operates. The regulation, tax treatment, and the way in which charity law affects charitable organisations also varies.

Financial figures (e.g., tax refund, revenue from fundraising, revenue from sale of goods and services or revenue from investment) are important indicators to assess the financial sustainability of a charity, especially to charity evaluators. This information can impact a charity's reputation with donors and societies, and thus, the charity's financial gains.

Charitable organisations often depend partly on donations from for-profit-organisations. Such donations to charitable organisations represent a major form of corporate philanthropy.[1]

Christian organisations have topped a list of the nation's top fundraising charities.

Research by Pareto Fundraising (paretofundraising.com presented at the Fundraising Institute of Australia's annual conference in Melbourne this week, revealed the top four of the Top Five charities based on fundraising income in 2012/2013 were Christian-based:

  1. World Vision
  2. Salvation Army Eastern
  3. Salvation Army Southern
  4. Compassion Australia
  5. Australian Red Cross

Christian organisations in the list beat out several of Australia's best-known charities including Cancer Council NSW, Oxfam, Amnesty International and St Vincent de Paul Society.

According to Pareto co-founder Sean Triner, World Vision is miles ahead in the fundraising stakes, with a $270 million fundraising income in the 2012/13 period. Salvation Army Eastern came in a distant second, at just under $100 million.

World Visions Director of Individual Supporters, Matt Davis says the difference comes down to World Vision's history.

"We're one of the more established charities, in international development work for 60 years and child sponsorship for over 30 years. With a pledge program like child sponsorship, where people stay with us for 10 years plus, ultimately that turns into quite a significant commitment."

Davis says the connection a supporter gets from child sponsorship is also significant. "You're not just giving money to someone shaking a can on the street. That sense of connection is a really big thing."

But it's Compassion Australia that has "snuck up" on industry insiders, said Triner, calling the Christian, child-sponsorship organisation the "dark horse" of the Top 5. He told the conference audience that Compassion was "brilliant at reaching its target audience: Christian women."

Compassion's CEO Tim Hanna too says at the heart of the organisation's strategy is a "genuine connection with our supporters."

"Our supporters don't just fund our work in releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name-they are actually a fundamental part of it. The relationship that sponsors build with their sponsored children is a key part of our programs' effectiveness in changing children's lives."

It would seem the child sponsorship model is a successful one for World Vision and Compassion, though there are different structures in that model which cause some uncertainty into where child sponsorship money is actually directed, as Eternity reported on in 2013.

Pareto's research also found that 87 per cent of funds raised by Australian charities are the result of face-to-face marketing. Australia's most generous state (based on giving per capita) is NSW, followed by the ACT and Victoria. [2]

References:

1 - "Tilcsik, A. & Marquis, C. 2013. "Punctuated Generosity: How Mega-events and Natural Disasters Affect Corporate Philanthropy in U.S. Communities." ''Administrative Science Quarterly'', 58(1): 111-148". Papers.ssrn.com. Retrieved 2014-01-06.

2 - Kaley Payne Wednesday 12 March 2014 www.biblesociety.org.au/news/four-australias-top-five-charities-christian#sthash.jTrw22e2.dpuf

Prayers during the month of Sept for all Charity and Not for Profit Organisations in Australia

Prayer For Charity In Truth

This prayer is based on Pope Benedict XVI's 2009 encyclical, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth)

Father, your truth is made known in your Word.
Guide us to seek the truth of the human person.
Teach us the way to love because you are Love.

Jesus, you embody Love and Truth.
Help us to recognize your face in the poor.
Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to your people.

Holy Spirit, you inspire us to transform our world.
Empower us to seek the common good for all persons.
Give us a spirit of solidarity and make us one human family.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Prayers in September

  1. Pray for an end to poverty

    Creator God,
    You loved the world into life.
    Forgive us when our dreams of the future
    are shaped by anything other than glimpses of a kingdom
    of justice, peace and an end to poverty.

    Incarnate God,
    you taught us to speak out for what is right.
    Make us content with nothing less than a world
    that is transformed into the shape of love,
    where poverty shall be no more.

    Breath of God,
    let there be abundant life.
    Inspire us with the vision of poverty over,
    and give us the faith, courage and will to make it happen.

  2. Pray for freedom from Slavery and for all charity organisations who are working to end slavery: There are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world today-more than any other time in history. Pray for an awakening to move like wildfire in our country and around the world to bring an end to slavery once and for all.
    Psalm 118:5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place.
  3. Pray for Justice and for all Charity organisations who are fighting for the Lord's justice: There is concern for justice in our world today. However, to achieve justice for the world, we must better understand how God views it.
    Psalm 37:27-29 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. 28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. 29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
  4. Pray for the fatherless in your community. Ask the Lord to protect them and to care for them and to defend them and keep them safe.
    Proverbs 31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
  5. Pray for the Lord to raise up workers for the harvest from your church and community. Ask Him to call Christians to go to the "fields of the fatherless" to experience the joy of caring for orphans as we are commanded by Isaiah 1:16-17 Give up your wicked ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.
  6. Ask the Father to set the lonely in families. Pray specifically for families in your community who may be in the process of adopting an orphan. Ask for God's provision for all of their needs; physical, emotional, and spiritual.
    Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
  7. Pray that your whole congregation will believe and be convicted by Proverbs 22:9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
    Ask for the Lord's blessings on those who share their food with orphans.
  8. Pray for families who have members with AIDS; pray for the victims themselves, pray for the children orphaned by this disease. Ask God to look with mercy and compassion on these victims
    Exodus 33:19 And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion."
  9. Pray for the Homeless and all Christian organisations who are working to stop homelessness

    Carol Penner - Prayer for Homeless People

    Hear our prayer today for all women and men, boys and girls who are homeless this day.
    For those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in doorways or bus stations.
    For those who can only find shelter for the night but must wander in the daytime.
    For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent.
    For those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in.
    For those who have no place to keep possessions that remind them who they are.
    For those who are afraid and hopeless.
    For those who have been betrayed by our social safety net.
    For all these people, we pray that you will provide shelter, security and hope.
    We pray for those of us with warm houses and comfortable beds
    that we not be lulled into complacency and forgetfulness.
    Jesus, help us to see your face in the eyes of every homeless person we meet
    so that we may be empowered through word and deed,
    and through the political means we have,
    to bring justice and peace to those who are homeless. Amen.

  10. Pray for Marriage Week Australia - marriageweek.org.au - and for its vision and mission

    Marriage Week is a coalition of the Christian church, media, ministries, and other organisations across Australia who have the same vision of marriage being upheld and strengthened.....

    Pray that all married couple celebrate this event from 11-17 September. Pray also that all churches will encourage everyone to celebrate Marriage Week and this event will become a great opportunity for all couples who are experiencing hardships and trouble in their marriages,

    Please say the Lord's prayer
  11. Pray for all Christian and non-Christian organisations who are helping victims of child abuse

    God of endless love,
    ever caring, ever strong,
    always present, always just:
    You gave your only Son
    to save us by the blood of his cross.

    Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
    join to your own suffering
    the pain of all who have been hurt
    in body, mind, and spirit
    by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

    Hear our cries as we agonize
    over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.
    Breathe wisdom into our prayers,
    soothe restless hearts with hope,
    steady shaken spirits with faith:
    Show us the way to justice and wholeness,
    enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

    Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
    heal your people's wounds
    and transform our brokenness.
    Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,
    so that we may act with justice
    and find peace in you.
    We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

  12. Pray for those suffering abuse

    Almighty God & Everlasting Lord,

    You are the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. We pray this week for those who have been abused within our churches and the wider communities across our nation.

    Have compassion upon all who have suffered the injustice, humiliation and pain of abuse - sexual, physical, emotional, spiritual and all other forms of sinful conduct.

    In the midst of their distressing circumstances, give them courage to speak. May your perfect love drive out fear and anxiety. In your mercy, create opportunities for these men, women and children to share their pain, reveal their struggles and expose the hurtful actions of others.

    Give grace, sensitivity and wisdom to all who will minister to the victims and survivors of abuse. Strengthen those who have been abused and their carers with the certainty of your love for them. In all things, we ask that your name be glorified and that we - your people - do justice, love kindness and walk humbly before you.

    We humbly plead these things in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who died and rose and now sits at your right hand in glory. Amen.

  13. Pray for Charity Missionaries who are helping the poor in third world countries.
    2 Thessalonians 3:1,2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
  14. Pray for missionaries that they will be able to communicate the message of the Bible in a clear way so that people can understand it. God's Word Would be Glorified. One of the first steps towards gaining an understanding of the Bible is to respect it. God's Word can lose respect in the minds of the hearers if they start to doubt the truth of it. One of the fastest ways for the Bible to come into disdain among the people listening to it being preached is for the missionary to do something that would tear down that respect. Pray that missionaries live right and respect God so that they will have a good testimony and influence on the way people perceive the Bible.
    Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
  15. Pray for Protection from Wicked Men: While our warfare is with "principalities" and "powers" and not with people; but, many times the way the "rulers of the darkness of this world" (Ephesians 6:12) reveal their work is through people. Pray that the missionaries you support will be protected from people who would seek to harm them spiritually and physically. Your missionaries are on the front lines of a spiritual battle. They need to be strengthened and held up through prayer.
  16. Pray for the Persecuted Church:
    Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

  17. From Voice of the Martyrs (click to open story)

    Please pray for Two Christians in Laos were detained in early August for sharing their Christian faith. 'Ket' was arrested for distributing Christian materials in his village. And when authorities learned that he received the materials from 'Boua,' a Christian woman living in another village, they arrested her the next time she came to visit Ket in jail. Ket and Boua face an uncertain future.

    Prayer points:

    • Pray the Lord will minister to Ket and Boua and other Christians in prison; ask Him to strengthen and encourage them during this time of uncertainty.
    • Pray their imprisonment will not be of long duration, but they may soon be restored to their families.
    • Ask the Lord to use their love for Him as a shining light in prison and provide many opportunities for them to share the Gospel.

  18. Please pray for Organisations Supporting Survivors and Spreading Awareness of Domestic Violence: Domestic violence can be defined as patterns of behavior in a relationship used to gain power and control over a partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or some combination thereof. It can happen to anyone of any gender, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, profession, education, or socioeconomic background (though women are much more likely than men to be victimized), and within couples who are married, living together, or dating.

    Many passages in the Bible speak out on the issue of violence, and GOD's attitude toward those that repeatedly use violence:
    Psalms 11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
    Zephaniah 1:9 In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
    Psalms 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
    Malachi 2:16-17 "I hate [...] a man's covering his wife with violence, as well as with his garment." says the Lord Almighty...."You have wearied the Lord with your words." "How have we wearied him?" you ask. By saying "all who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them," or "Where is the God of justice?". (NIV alternate translation)

    In a similar way, 'wrath' or anger is condemned as being sinful, as is sexual abuse:
    James 1:19,20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
    Ephesians 5:3-5 But fornication (note: that is to say, sexual immorality, including sexual abuse), and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God

  19. Pray for Disability Services

    BEATITUDES FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

    BLESSED ARE YOU who take time to listen to difficult speech, for you help us to know that if we persevere we can be understood.

    BLESSED ARE YOU who walk with us in public places, and ignore the stares of strangers, for in your friendship we feel good to be ourselves.

    BLESSED ARE YOU who never bid us to "hurry up" and, more blessed, you who do not snatch our tasks from our hands to do them for us, for often we need time rather than help.

    BLESSED ARE YOU who stand beside us as we enter new and untried ventures, for our unsuredness will be outweighed by the times when we surprise ourselves and you.

    BLESSED ARE YOU who ask for our help and realize our giftedness for our greatest need is to be needed.

    BLESSED ARE YOU who help us with the graciousness of Christ, for often we need the help we cannot ask for.

    BLESSED ARE YOU when, by all things, you assure us that what makes us individuals is not our particular disability or difficulty but our beautiful God-given personhood which no handicapping condition can confine.

    REJOICE AND BE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD for your understanding and love have opened doors for us to enjoy life to its full and you have helped us believe in ourselves as valued and gifted people.

  20. Pray for Organisations that support asylum seekers and pray for refugees

    A prayer for justice for refugees and asylum seekers

    God of mercy, help me to remember:
    My ancestors came across the seas!
    Help me keep in my mind
    Those who came long ago
    And those who now come to our shores.
    As I face you in prayer, God of Compassion,
    I remember my country's words:
    Send them back or Stop the boats.
    Then I fear, not your anger
    But the steady gaze of boundless love
    and unlimited compassion
    That impel me to hear Jesus' command:
    Love one another, as I have loved you
    Pope Francis' call to open our hearts
    To a universal communion
    Which excludes nothing and no one.
    Daring to step into such relationship, I pray
    For those forced to leave family,
    home and all they hold dear;
    May they find safe passage and helping hands.
    I pray for an end to the wars and oppression
    that forced them to leave;
    I pray that those who welcome them
    are blessed in abundance.
    And with deep humility
    and a heart hungry for justice,
    I pray that we Australians, citizens and leaders,
    Open our eyes, our minds and our hearts
    That we may see, understand and welcome
    our brothers and sisters.
    May our change of heart penetrate to our beginnings
    As strangers in this land.
    May we allow those we displaced
    - the First People of this land - to welcome us.
    Then knowing, in humility, what it is to be welcomed,
    We will know how to welcome
    the strangers who come to our shores.
    This we ask in the name of Jesus your Son,
    In whom we are no longer strangers. Amen.

  21. Prayer for Peace

    Almighty God, the source of all our good.
    You call us from oppression and conflict
    to freedom and cooperation for the good of all.
    Help people everywhere to build a world of peace
    ever more solidly established on the four pillars:
    truth, justice, love and freedom.

    Pope John Paul II, Pacem in Terris: A Permanent Commitment, Message for World Peace Day 2003

  22. A prayer for challenging racism

    God,
    You are the source of human dignity,
    and it is in your image that we are created.
    Pour out on us the spirit of love and compassion.
    Enable us to reverence each person,
    to reach out to anyone in need,
    to value and appreciate those who differ from us,
    to share the resources of our nation,
    to receive the gifts offered to us by people from other cultures.
    Grant that we may always promote the justice and acceptance
    that ensures lasting peace and racial harmony.
    Help us to remember that we are one world and one family. Amen.

  23. Pray for Children's Charities in Australia: these are 12 - dedicate time to pray for each one of them, and any others you know of:
  24. Pray for the Australian Christian Lobby - acl.org.au
    Read Psalm 91 for everyone working at ACL across Australia.
  25. Pray for Christian and non-Christian organisations who are defending traditional marriage in Australia: Redefining marriage means changing the Marriage Act to remove husbands and wives. It will take something that has served as a bedrock institution of every human society and redefine it.
    Please also remember children in your prayers; every child needs a mum and a dad.

    Lord, You told us to "submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from us!"
    Jesus, we now submit ourselves to You!
    Please forgive us for any and all unyieldedness, unwillingness, hardness of heart or resistance to You and Your Spirit!
    We ask You, Lord, to please "Restore marriages across our nation, give us a CLEAN heart, O God; and renew a RIGHT spirit within us!" (Psa 51:10)

  26. Pray for Salt Shakers - saltshakers.org.au:
    SALT SHAKERS is a Christian Ethics Action Group based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. they aim to 'help Christians make a difference' in many different areas. They cover a range of moral, political, religious and social issues as well as encouraging Christians to stay true to Christ and the Bible in the whole of their lives.
    Isaiah 62:1-12 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch...
  27. Pray for the Department of the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission:

    The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Advisory Board supports and advises the Commissioner. The Board is appointed by the Minister and consists of up to eight 'general members' with expertise in the not-for-profit sector, law, taxation or accounting, and office holders. The Board also currently consists of four 'ex-officio members' who are appointed to the Board because they are the holder of a specified office. The Board's functions and powers are set out in the ACNC Act.

    On Thursday 5 May 2016, the Treasurer, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, confirmed the appointment of a new ACNC Advisory Board.

    Advisory board members:
    • Mr Tony Stuart (Chair/new member)
    • Ms Fiona McLeay (Deputy Chair/continuing member)
    • Ms Gina Anderson (continuing member)
    • Professor David Gilchrist (new member)
    • Mr Martin Laverty (new member)
    • Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes OAM (continuing member)
    Ex-officio members:
    • Ms Cindy Bravos
    • Ms Linda Mallet
    • Mr Dini Soulio
    • Mr Dale Webster
  28. Please take your time to read about
    'Areas of concern for charity regulation' (click to fllow link)
    Ask God to reveal to you things that are not right or ungodly and please pray in the spirit to expose all ungodly activities inside the Department of the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission.
    Psalms 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
    Jude 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
  29. Pray for all Christians who are dedicating their lives to serve others: many of them are doing voluntary works for the kingdom to spread the gospel and bring many to Christ.

    A General Thanksgiving

    Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.

    We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

    We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.

    We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

    Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

    Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.

  30. Pray for Australian Christian aid organisations working right across the world: There are many excellent and under-acknowledged Christian organisations established by Australians or involving Australians working to improve lives of people right across the world. Not only can we assist them, but also by their example they can provide encouragement to us.

A selection of agencies is listed below. The listing focuses predominately on aid agencies established by Australian Christians providing assistance to people in every corner of the world. And of course, right here in Australia, every Christian church will be providing aid in various forms within their respective local communities.

Further organisation-listings and issues for your consideration - note the numbers of organisations established by Christians.

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