NEED FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
There is an increasing need for the love of God to be shown in our families, churches, communities and in government institutions. We are thrilled when it is being shown by care for the homelessness and by giving them a place where they can be accepted. We thank God that His love is being shown to some who are hurting, vulnerable and isolated so they feel that they belong and matter. His love means it can be possible for individuals to know how much He values them as precious beings who are made in the image of God for His unique purposes. Jesus choses people whatever their background or personalities . We can show His love when we don’t focus on people’s shortcomings, or slight them in our conversations. We can show His love, or lack of it, by what we write, say, or do, or by being discerning about how others may be suffering physically or emotionally. When we speak the truth we may be afraid that we are not showing His love. But speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Eph 4:15) Our love for others vanishes when our thoughts constantly revolve around ourselves, or we are not willing to take second place. His love for people never does. We need His love so we do not take offense easily, show a cool unfriendliness, speak impatient, unloving words, or say we forgive, but then cannot forget an offense. The love of Christ surpasses knowledge (Eph 3;19) May outsiders know we are Christians by our love for one another and for strangers.
Let’s pray:
* That out of the Lord’s glorious riches He may strengthen us with power through his Spirit in our inner being, that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge ( Eph 3:17-19) and love those who are young or vulnerable, the marginalised or members of minority cultural groups.
* Asking the Lord how to show the love of Christ by what we think, speak, or write about people whose thoughts, words or actions differ from ours. That He will give us real compassion, let our tears fall like rain, melt our cold hearts, and change our love from a spark to a flame.
*Asking the Lord to give us the eyes to see people like He does, to forgive us for judging those who actions, words and lifestyle have challenged us in the past and to show us how we need to change by loving others unconditionally and follow the way of love (1Cor 14:1)
SPEAKING POSITIVELY
Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov 18:21). That means we can talk our nation to death or talk it to life. This is Scriptural truth. We don’t always recognise when we’re engaging in negative talk because it’s habit-forming. A favourite pastime in our nation is for us to criticise or speak negatively about our political leaders and others in authority. It is time for us to draw a line in the sand and declare “Jesus is Lord over our nation”. We settle for defeat when we talk negatively about our fellow Australians. With a few minor attitude adjustments, we could release our nation into its destiny in God and draw so much more of God’s blessing down on her people.
Please pray:
* confessing our negativity towards those in authority over us and repenting by reversing our words to be life giving and life changing.
* forming a habit of giving thanks each day for those who rule over us, and look after our body, mind and spirit.
* declaring God’s will that we as a nation would reflect His glory to the other nations of the world and be an example of a God fearing, caring and compassionate nation in line with the character of Jesus.
ANGLICAN CHURCH SPLIT OVER SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Australia’s Anglican Church has split, with a group of conservative bishops, clergy and lay people forming a new diocese called the Diocese of the Southern Cross. The schism has come after discussions between church progressives and conservatives broke down at the General Synod in May. At the Synod the clergy and the lay people voted in support of a motion not to bless same-sex marriages, but the bishops voted the motion down. It created an atmosphere of sadness and revolt among conservative Anglicans who believe the bishops have departed from the church’s theological and biblical roots. Comparable splits in the Anglican church have occurred in Canada, the US, Brazil and New Zealand.
Please pray:
“Woman, where are they? Does no none condemn you?” “No one, Master.” “Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” John 8:10-11 MSG
* for all in the Anglican church who are hurting as a result of this split.
* that the leaders on both sides of the debate will come humbly to the Lord and ask for His wisdom and guidance and love.
* asking the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and guidance not to condone other people’s (or our own) sin and at the same time not to condemn those people (or ourselves) either. Let us ask the Lord to bring to our minds people we can love while avoiding condemning and condoning.
PRAYING FOR ISSUES IN THE NEWS
* The conviction of Chris Dawson for the murder of his wife has caught the attention of the media this week. It has been 40 years since Lynette Dawson was murdered and it took an investigative newspaper reporter to bring the case out into the open and into court. The conviction after 40 years highlights the changing attitudes towards domestic violence since the offence occurred. In the years immediately subsequent to the murder little interest was shown by authorities in what was put down to a woman leaving her husband and family to start a new life. Subsequent interest and enquiries and the much stronger understanding of the scourge of domestic violence resulted in the conviction after such a long period of time. Give thanks that justice has finally been done for Lynette Dawson and the issue of domestic violence has again been highlighted in such a public way. Pray that this case will result in many other women also receiving justice through the legal system when becoming a victim of domestic violence.
* Australia faces many problems subsequent to the Covid pandemic. These include inflation, stagnant wages, worker shortages, cost of living increases and rising mortgage rate to name a few. The Federal Government today begins a concerted effort to begin addressing these and other issues by calling together business and union leaders to try and find consensus on the way forward to assist in overcoming some of these problems. Pray that those who gather together for the Summit, previously protagonists, will be able to come together in the national interest and agree to a way forward that will be a win-win for both sides and the nation as a whole.
PRAYING FOR OTHERS
This week let us pray for Columbia. Organised crime and violence is a major concern for Christians in Columbia. Pray for peace and protection over the nation.
Source: Australian Prayer Network
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