The prayers below were composed by attendees at the Enabling Ministry Team Wananga.

He Karere

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā. He karere tēnei ki te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa. Kia tūtuki ai tātou katoa mō te Hui Tōpu Rua Mano Rua Tekau Mā Rua. Kia maumahara tātou ki te kaupapa Rua Rau tau o te Hāhi. I tīmata ai ki Kaeo te Mīhana tuatahi o Te Hāhi ki Aotearoa. I runga i ngā manaakitanga o te Matua, Tama me te Wairua Tapu. He hōnore he korōria ki te Atua runga rawa. He maungarongo ki te whenua. He whakaaro pai ki ngā tangata katoa.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

As we work towards our MCNZ Conference we give honour, and glory to God. On this our bicentennial year we look back to Kaeo the place of our beginnings. Where our first Methodist Mission Station began in this land. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We ask for peace on earth, goodwill to all, in this world and the next.

Te Whānau Marama

We ask for Te Whānau Marama the family of light to guide us. The Mātua the Mum and Dad are Wainui and Tangotango. The first child the oldest one was Te Rā, The Sun.The second child was Te Marama, The Moon. The third child was the Ngā Whetū, The Stars. The fourth child was Hīnātore a Glowing Light. The fifth child was Parikoikoi a Not so Bright Light. The last child was Hine Rauāmoa a Wee Tiny Light. I know all the tamariki off by heart. The light helps us to see where to go.

E te Atua o Ngā Mano

E te Atua o ngā mano. Te Kaihanga ngā whetū. Te Kaihanga o Matariki. Nōu te korōria. Nōu te hōnore. Nōu te orokohanga o te Ao. I mua i tō aroaro ka whakamoemititia. Ka maumahara ki a rātou kua riro i tua o te ārai. He wā anō kua takoto mō ngā mea katoa. Me te wā mō ngā meatanga katoa i raro i te rangi. Ko Matariki ki te rangi, Ko Matariki Ahunga nui.

God of the multitudes, creator of Matariki. Glory to you, honour to you. In your prescence we give praise and remember those who have passed beyond the veil. For eveything there is a season under heaven. Matariki in the heavens, our guiding star.

Inoi o Matariki

E te Atua Kaha Rawa, e whakawhetai ana mātou ki a koe. Mō Matariki, te timatanga o te tau hou Māori. Ko te Atua o ngā mano, te kaihanga whetū, te kaihanga o Matariki. Nāu te korōria, nāu te aroha.

Ururangi kia whiti i tōu marama ake, ake. Whakawhetai ki a koe mō tō aroaro me ngā manaakitanga. Tīrama Tīrama i ngā wā katoa, kia ora tonu ngā hau e whā. Ko koe tētahi whetū Matariki.

Waiporoporo, Waikoropupu, Waipounamu. Kia hohou ai te rongo, Waitī, Waitā whetū. He reo Waitī te oro pai o te tangata. Hīmene, Waiata Wai karakia, he rongopai nō te Atua. Kokopū, inanga, tuna, piarau. Waitī wai Māori e kai eee. He reo Waitā, pīata mai rā, karanga tohorā tangia tohorā, karakia tohorā. Whakapau karakia eee. Roimata toroa, Puke karoro, ka mate wheke, kia mate ururoa. Waitā takutai moana, e kai, e kai, kia eke Kokohu, Puanga Kairau eee.

Waipuna-a-rangi, the star that controls the cycle of water in all its forms. Ua, nganga, hukarere. Whakawhetai ki a koe mō tō mahi whakapai ki te whenua, ki te taiao.

Tupu-a-nuku, a star associated with everything that grows in the soil. Tupu-a-rangi, a star associated with everything up in the trees. We give thanks to the bountiful gifts you continue to provide to sustain our health and wellbeing. The spiritual nourishment you provide us that will continue to strengthen us for the future.

Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the youngest whetū, looking towards the future of our universe. Our dreams and aspirations. Keeping hopes and love for one another. Hiwa-i-te-rangi, is a wishing star, which we can all wish for good tidings for each year. And finally, e te Atua, as we move forward into a new phase in our lives.

The star of Pohutukawa reminds us of those who have passed from our sight. We remember our beloved whanau members, our beloved friends, and our beloved pets too. Even though we move forward in life without them, we remember how blessed we have been to be part of them. We thank you for their lives.

Father God

Father God, Job 38:32 You lead forth the constellations in their seasons;

Psalms 104:19 You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows it’s time for setting; Galatians 4:10 You have observed special days; and months and seasons and years.

Jeremiah 8:7 Even the stork in the heavens know its appointed season; and the dove, the swift, and the thrush observe the time of their migration; but Your people do not know the ordinance of the Lord.

Daniel 2: 20 Blessed be the name of God from age to age, for wisdom and power are his. 21 You change times and seasons, depose kings and raise up others; You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

Acts 14:17 Yet, You have not left us without testimony. You have shown us kindness by giving us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons; providing us with food and filling our hearts with joy.

Psalms 103:1 We praise You, Lord, oh my soul. We praise Your holy name.

Honoa Mai

Whakatau mai te Aroha o te ringa o te Atua matua Kaha rawa.

Tēnei mātou, anei mātou e rongomau ana i te whenua.

I runga ano hoki i ngā wai o ōu Roimata.

Honoa mai ōu iwi kia koa tahi mai te noho i runga i te koha.

Nāu i hōmai ki a mātou, ara, ko te Whenua, ko ngā taiao.

Honoa mai te iwi i runga i tōu ingoa tapu.

Kia tapatahi te hikoi i runga i te hamumu o tōu ngākau.