Heavenly Father, please help us to see that the gospel has reshaped our identity. In Christ we are now citizens of heaven. Please help our students to see themselves as international students studying in Australia, and recognise that this is not their true home. May their hope be in your heavenly home, that you will bring about for us at the coming of Christ. Help expand their hope and ground it in the resurrection of Christ and our freedom from death that he brings. Help us not to set our minds on earthly things, being driven by our desires and self-centred cravings but to see the goodness of our God and his plans for us in his world. Help us to rejoice in Christ more and more and enjoy the transforming life that he brings to us.
Amen