Today's morning service consisted of a one minute silence for those who lost, be it loved ones, homes, or possessions. It was then followed by a powerful prayer which I thought I'd like to share with you all

For our losses, Today, Lord God, we join together with all Victorians,
and with all Australians, to pray for the victims of these tragic bushfires,
and for the families of those who perished.
We pray for the children who will go to bed tonight
without their mother or father.
We pray for the mums and dads
who have lost their precious children.
We pray for the husbands and wives who will return to towns reduced to tears and homes reduced to ash.
We pray for the families throughout our nation
who have lost those they dearly love.
We pray for those who survived but who suffer,
and who bear the memory of the fire.
We pray for the fire fighters, police officers,
ambulance officers, and emergency workers
who have served so well and toiled so long in such terrible conditions.
We pray for relief from pain, for healing and peace, for comfort and restful sleep.
We pray for patience and strength, for courage and hope,
to face another day and walk another mile and share another road,
In the strong name of Jesus. Amen.
(from Rod Benson- Ethicist and Director of Public Theology, Tinsley Institute, Morling College, NSW)