Australis Terris - Of Fire, Smoke, and Water

I feel the fear and sadness

Of a people who have seen 

Both bushfires and floods

Ravage their homes, their loved ones, 

Their livestock and trees.

In the land of the burning sun

And yet they defy their fears

And plod on resiliently, 

These indomitable ones.

Neither fire and smoke on the distant hills,

Nor tempestuous water on the parchèd plains,

Can deter them.

May nothing stop them 

From ceaselessly working 

Towards the life that their hearts truly long for.

I pray that God may see the desire 

Of these people of the Great South,

This great south land of the Holy Spirit,

And may He grant that they may draw closer,

Day by day,

To that life which He knows will satisfy the most.

In the land of the burning sun