Speaker of the Lower House Milton Dick addresses the gathering.
The 37th Australian National Prayer Breakfast brought together political leaders, church representatives, community leaders and students, in the Great Hall of Australia’s Parliament House, Canberra, on 26 October 2026.
Hosted by the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, the gathering heard and confirmed that prayer, faith and respectful dialogue is very much welcome in the halls of national parliament.
Among those participating, Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland spoke of how her own prayer life had changed since the recent medical diagnosis of a friend. “What struck me about this was that in circumstances like this, your prayers are both completely selfless and deeply selfish… because prayer is both an act of community, and of self love,” Ms Rowland said.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland addresses the gathering. Photo: Benjamin Shuhyta
Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick, and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor each spoke of the intersection of Christian values with Australia’s political history. Ahead of Monday’s parliamentary schedule of tributes for injured MP Helen Haines, Angus Taylor told the gathering that democratic societies must be able “to challenge ideas without threatening violence, to disagree without violence or hatred, and to use words rather than weapons.”
The theme for 2026, The Way Down is the Way Up, was explored by keynote speaker Amy Brown, a Christian leader who rose to prominence as a Departmental Secretary in the NSW public service. Her message centred on the belief that God often forms character and reveals His presence most clearly in “the valley”, seasons of challenge, dependence and humility.
Faith leaders from across Australia’s major Christian traditions also attended, reflecting the event’s long-standing commitment to bringing together believers from a wide range of denominations and backgrounds.
The morning concluded with the 1000+ crowd joining to sing along to a soul-music reboot of Blessed Assurance, led by Christian-soul band Destiny Rising. You can watch the National Prayer Breakfast’s livestream for yourself on youtube.
Members of the Presbyterian Church, including members of the NSW Gospel, Society and Culture committee, made the most of the Canberra trip, meeting with Christian politicians, staffers, and interest groups to better understand the political landscape, and to pray for those working in the nation’s political heart.
