Begin 2026 With Prayer: Join the New Year’s Day Sunrise Prayer Rally
From hilltops to church steps, Australians are welcoming 2026 with sunrise prayer, worship and united faith. Join us for this year’s Sunrise Prayer Rally as we seek God’s blessing for our families, churches and nation.
The New Year begins this Thursday! 2025 might have passed in a flash — but don’t let 2026 begin without committing the year ahead to the Lord.
Every year on New Year’s Day, thousands of Australians join together for the Sunrise Prayer Relay, praying all across this Great Southland. We encourage you to join the event!
Watch Warwick Marsh explain the New Year’s Day Sunrise Prayer Relay below.
How to Join the Sunrise Prayer Rally
Starting the New Year with God doesn’t have to be complicated. Find a public spot — a hill, lookout, bridge, landmark, or your local church — and meet with other believers at sunrise on 1 January to pray together. You can also join in privately from home.
We suggest that you arrive 15 minutes before your local sunrise time, and pray for around 30 minutes, or longer if you feel led. Pray together aloud as the sun rises, and make a declaration that Jesus is Lord — of your life, your family, your region, your nation, and the nations.
We also want to encourage you to contend in prayer for souls to be saved and pray for your unsaved friends and family to know Jesus in 2026.
For those in Australia, we encourage you to pray for Reaching Australia 2033. This is a vision to reach everyone in Australia with the Good News of Jesus Christ by Pentecost Sunday 2033. It has been inspired by Rick Warren’s ministry, Finishing the Task, which carries a global vision to reach the world with the gospel.
Please pray for the success of this Gospel vision and the multiplication of Evangelism Roundtables throughout Australia and around the world. Sign the statement here.
The Canberra Declaration is passionate about encouraging a culture of prayer and worship across the Church. The Sunrise Prayer Relay is a beautiful expression of this movement in action.
Over the past few years, thousands of people in more than 70 nations have participated in this global prayer initiative. In 2026, we’re believing for even more locations and hearts joining together.
We encourage you to share this invitation with your friends, family and church networks. Let’s see prayer ring out across our nation!
Seeking God for New Beginnings
As we begin 2026, we invite you to centre your prayers on God’s kingdom, revival for Australia, and the hope of new beginnings.
Matthew 6:33 reminds us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” What better way to start the year than by seeking God above all else?
In Psalm 85:6, we are encouraged to pray for spiritual renewal: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” Our nation is in sore need of revival. Praying together at sunrise is a powerful way of welcoming God’s refreshing presence into our churches, families and communities.
Isaiah 43:19 reorients us to seek God for new beginnings: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” As the sun rises on 1 January, pray expectantly for the brand new things God wants to accomplish in your life and in our nation in 2026.
We also encourage groups to celebrate communion together, proclaiming the victory of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Including a time of praise and worship is also highly recommended.
Thank you for joining us as we pray in the New Year!
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