NO NEUTRAL GROUND
There are those in New Zealand who are wanting to incorporate traditional Maori laws and customs with the ones coming from a Western background including Maori cultural knowledge and ways of thinking into the national education program. A man-made tragedy is unfolding in Sri Lanka as it flounders with its worst financial collapse in decades and they grapple with chronic shortages of cash, fuel, food, and medicines. A devastating war is unravelling in Ukraine. In Australia there are financial challenges, shortages, and potential strikes. There are also potential radical policies which could be waiting to be enacted. But we have currently kept our heads above water. We thank the Lord for guiding those who are governing our nation in Australia, but we are not overconfident. Let us not forget that the Sovereign LORD says: “In repentance and rest is our salvation, in quietness and trust is our strength,” (Is 30:15) but not be like the Israelites who believed they did not need Him. We do need Him as a nation. Robert Burns cried out “ Oh, would some Power the gift give us, to see ourselves as others see us. It would from many a blunder free us”. C.S.Lewis once said “there is no neutral ground in the entire universe. Each bit of the world is fought over by its creator and the original rebel against that creator. We are to be willing volunteers to fight on God’s side. Not as proud and arrogant people who figure they have all the answers. Not as those who despise those who oppose us. Not as imperialistic conquerors who enforce our views on others”. We do have a fight on our hands. We will lose some battles and be tempted to hoist the white flag on occasions. What keeps us going is that, even as we win and lose some battles, we know that the war has been well and truly won.
Let’s pray:
* For “More love, more power. More of You in our lives. We will worship You, with all our hearts. We will worship You, with all our minds we will worship You, with all of our strength for You are our Lord”
* Thanking the Lord for the knowledge that the battle has been well and truly won and that in quietness and trust is our strength.
* That as your people we are willing volunteers to fight on your side. Not as proud and arrogant people who figure we have all the answers. Not as those who despise those who oppose us. Not as imperialistic conquerors who enforce our views on others. But as ones who do have a fight on our hands and know the war has been well and truly won.
REDUCING THE STRESSFULNESS OF LIFE
We say things like “It’s a rat race and the rats are winning” and “Nice guys finish last” and “Winning isn’t everything – it’s the only thing!” Such sentiments characterise our culture, driving workaholic lifestyles that destroy health, family life, and eliminate the spiritual discipline required to have a growing relationship with God. So what should we do? Competitiveness leads to jealousy. God’s people are called to excel in their calling by exalting Christ not tearing each other down. Getting ahead of others isn’t what it is about, it’s about maximising all you do for God’s glory! Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23 NIV).
Please pray:
* that the culture of personal competitiveness in our nation would be replaced with a culture of excellence and service where people gain fulfilment not from personal gain but from knowing that they are making a contribution towards the common good.
* that Christians, who were once known as the best people to employ because of their superior work ethic, would recapture the understanding that we do our work as unto the Lord and not to primarily receive the recognition of man.
* that attitudes in the workplaces of our nation would not be based on jealousy but be based on mutual respect and a desire to see all people reach their full potential in the exercising of the gifts that God has given to each and every one He created.
RENEWED PUSH FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS
Religious bodies are calling for Anthony Albanese to meet his election commitment and reignite a failed push to legislate protections against faith-based discrimination. A national poll was conducted on May 25th and May 26th using a national weighted sample of 1502 respondents. The poll found that more than two thirds believed laws should protect the right to hold and practice religious beliefs. It was commissioned by a coalition of Christian schools, including the Australian Association of Christian Schools, Associated Christian Schools and Christian Schools Australia. It also found that 75% of respondents supported the right of a religious school to employ teachers who supported stated values and beliefs of the schools. During his election campaign Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to legislate a religious discrimination act within his first term of government. He also pledged to scrap aspects of the Morrison government’s proposed bill that enabled schools to expel homosexual and transgender students. Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said, “Labor has committed to bringing legislation before parliament in the first term to protect people from discrimination on the grounds of faith.”
Please pray:
“So God created man and woman in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27
“Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
* Let us pray for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his government. Pray that they will understand that if we don’t acknowledge God we are “but flotsam in the universe”. (Max Lucado)
* Pray that the Labor government passes legislation to protect religious schools and institutions because freedom of religious expression is vital for the good of our nation.
* As we ask the Lord to undertake for us let’s put aside all notions of “our rights” to religious freedom. But instead let’s ask out of love for Him and for our fellow Australians.
PRAYING FOR ISSUES IN THE NEWS
* As Australia faces ever increasing cost of living rises whilst at the same time experiencing an out of control debt situation and budget crisis, it is inevitable that sooner rather than later the Government will be forced to make financial decisions that will be unpopular with the electorate. Such actions are not the fault of either the current nor previous Governments but result from necessary spending to save the nation during the pandemic which has afflicted our nation over the past more 3 years and other problems associated with the Ukraine war. Every nation in the world are suffering similar problems. Pray for wisdom to be given to the Government as to what action they should take to alleviate the current situation, and understanding to the public as to why such actions are necessary in the nation’s best interests. Pray that the nation will pull together to get us through this crisis in as best shape as we can manage.
* With both Australia and the United States making belated efforts to repair relationships with the South Pacific Islands in order to thwart Chinese infiltration into the region, tensions are higher than normal as the Islands become embroiled in International affairs in a way they have not had to do before. Pray that assurances given by both Australia and the U.S. will be well received by all Island nations and that the strengthening of those relationships will ensure a continuity of unity and co-operation between all nations in the South Pacific. Pray for the nations of the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, who have already come under Chinese influence, that they will be won back into the South Pacific family and will not become rogue states.
PRAYING FOR OTHERS
This week let us pray for Mauritania. The punishment for anyone who criticises Islam can be the death penalty. Pray for political leaders, and believers sharing the Gospel, no matter the cost.
Source: Australian Prayer Network
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