Intercessors for New Zealand
Pray for the Nation ~ Inoi Mo Te Motu
Intercessors for New Zealand was started by Brian Caughley in January 1972, after receiving a word from God to call Christians to "Pray for the Nation".
IFNZ specifically aims to encourage prayer, and present Bible teaching, which exhorts Christians to pray regularly and specifically for their nation - for revival and evangelism, the Church, the Government and the Nation.
The vision is based, in part, on the following Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Proverbs 14:34; Jeremiah 29:7 and 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
The AIMS of IFNZ are:
- To glorify God by uniting Christians throughout the nation in praying regularly and specifically for our nation, the government and the Church; for revival and evangelism.
- To encourage them to continue to pray for revival until God sends such a revival.
- To instruct in the ministry of intercession, so that Christians will be more effective in intercessory prayer.
- To share with Christians specific prayer suggestions related to these aims, so that they can pray more intelligently and specifically.
We are so grateful to God for our divinely-inspired National Anthem, written by Thomas Bracken (see below).
Currently, our monthly magazine goes to about 6,500 Christians in New Zealand and about 450 in other countries.
In March 1997 we were offered a link to a prayer website, on which we put our monthly magazine until March 2005 when we commenced our own website.
In February 2000 we started a weekly email Prayer Update which is now sent to many hundreds of Christians around the world.
Many of the Bible studies we have published over the years have been collated into books which are available for purchase. See Bible Study books for details of what is available, and an order form.
This ministry is entirely supported by prayer and donations. (To make a donation, please click on our "Contact us" page for details. Thank you!)
Thank you for your support!
Coordinator: Brian Caughley
Intercessors for New Zealand, PO Box 3399, Wellington, New Zealand
PLEASE NOTE: A printable version of each page can be obtained by clicking on the Printer icon at the bottom of each page.
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 version of verse 1
E Ihoa Atua, O nga Iwi Matoura
Ata whaka rongona, Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai, Kia tau to atawhai
Manaakitia mai; Aotearoa!
PARLIAMENTARY PRAYER
Every day that the New Zealand Parliament sits, the following Parliamentary Prayer is prayed by the Speaker of the House:
"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.
Our Parliament has been opened with prayer every sitting day since it first sat in 1854