Marriage Week
There are six Christian ministries (FamilyLife NZ, Focus on the Family NZ, Alpha NZ, Shining Lights, Family First, and New Zealand Christian Network) working together to plan and highlight pro-marriage initiatives in New Zealand. And one of these initiatives is Marriage Week which is taking place from 13 – 19 September 2026. Marriage Week is an annual invitation to pause, celebrate, and invest in the enduring strength of marriages. Join couples across Aotearoa for a week dedicated to rekindling connection, sharing wisdom, and building a legacy of love. Learn more: https://www.marriageweek.org.nz/
Tonight, Maria Boddington from Focus on the Family NZ and Simon O’Connor from Family First will be leading us in prayer for this important ministry.
Maria Boddington
Maria is married to Aaron and has been blessed with three children. Her lifelong goal is to help everyone she encounters experience the love of Jesus through acts of service and solid teaching. By the age of 23, she had already travelled to 23 countries to share the gospel message. In her spare time, Maria enjoys tending to her garden, and working out at the gym. In addition to her hairdressing career, she has experience in real estate, working in a school office, and dedicating 25 years to youth ministry.
Simon O’Connor
Simon is married to Rachel, step-father to five ‘kids’, and lives in Auckland. He currently runs his own consultancy, and does a lot of work for Family First and can also be found hosting an online radio show with RCR. Simon was an electorate Member of Parliament for twelve years (2011-2023). He initially chaired the Health Committee and then was the Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade Committee. Alongside all the live commentary shows he hosts for Family First, he keeps busy on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and writes a regular column on Substack called On Point.
Prayer Points
- For a deeper witness by Christians to the importance of marriage; that each of us will live a married life that is witness to others.
- For a new yearning in our young to seek married life.
- For a deeper appreciation of the value of children and family, to parents but also our society as a whole.
- For a return to a Christ centred understanding of marriage in our community and society.
- Open teachable hearts to the teachings of the Church on the Covenant of Marriage.
- Healing for hearts wounded by the unfaithfulness in our communities.
- Strengthened faith in our pastors, counsellors, and communities that Marriage is good and worth pursuing.
- Willingness in the community to share and encourage one another this marriage week.