Prayer is the work

If you’ve ever wondered about the effectiveness of your prayers, read on …

In 2024, SU in South Australia held a team leader launch day. After reflecting upon the legacy of SU, the team recommitted themselves and all the work that is done through SU Australia to God in prayer.

“Everything that we do has to be grounded in God. Not [in] history, not legacy, not what worked last year, but entrusting God today and [having] faith for today,” explains Hamilton McNicol, Area Manager for South Australia.

This reflection resulted in a recommitment to prayer through the start of monthly prayer nights in SA.

The prayer nights are made up of six to eight people, a mix of SU team leaders and faithful, long-term intercessors, who pray for the work of SU in South Australia.

“The motto of our prayer organiser is ‘You don’t pray for the work, prayer is the work,’” Hamilton recounts.

Team leaders are asked to bring specific prayer points when they present on the night. By doing so, the group has accumulated a list of every prayer that has been requested and prayed for. This list was recently used to conduct a prayer audit.

“A prayer audit is going back and looking at the things we prayed, which we’ve got a clear record of, and just seeing, what did God do?” explains Hamilton.

Julie Calvert, SU Ministry Coordinator who looks after the Scripture Union Family Missions (SUFMs) over summer in SA, was tasked with sending the prayer list back to the various team leaders to see how many prayers had been answered.

“We did an audit after the summer mission season. Essentially, all prayers that we prayed got answered, which was phenomenal.”

“Julie said that it was the best summer of ministry ever,” reflects Hamilton.

“Those prayers are being answered as they’re being prayed in accordance with his will, and we’re seeing more and more evidence of God’s faithfulness.

“And God needs to receive the glory for what he’s answered. So part of it isn’t just for us, it’s for him.”

Thank you for faithfully praying for the work of SU Australia. To receive regular prayer points from SU or request prayer, head to su.org.au/pray.