THE NEED TO PRAY
When we know there are many confusing opinions about what constitutes progress within our society, it is good to know that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Cor 14:33). We may find it hard to be certain that God is working all things together for good to those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28) But we do know that the fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much! (Jam 5:16) It is a relief to also know that the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We may not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people and for our nation in accordance with the will of God.(Rom 8:26-27). God wants us to ask, and it will be given unto us; to seek, and we will find; to knock, and it shall be opened unto us. “For everyone who asks, receives; and those who seek, find; and those who knock, it shall be opened” (Mat 7:7–8). So let us come into His presence and pray.
Prayer has a greater significance than we can ever imagine. Samuel said “far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you” (1 Sam12:23). In the past key people knew of its significance. Lord Tennyson wrote these powerful words, ‘More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.’ While Mary Queen of Scots said, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” The change in individuals or our nation can be seen as answers to our prayers and the prayers of others, but we often fail to recognise or acknowledge this.
Whatever the circumstances seem to be saying to us let’s persevere in prayer:
* For righteousness to be exalted in our nation especially when people vote in parliamentary elections or chose to take part in protests.
* For real joy to be both in heaven and on earth when one by one sinners in our nation come to repent. (Lk 15:7).
*Come let us worship our King. He has done great things. Let’s see what our Saviour has done and how His love overcomes.
Praying in strong leaders
Have you noticed how difficult it is today to find strong, committed and faithful leaders whether it be in the Church, politics, the business world or any other sphere within society. In fact statistics show that over half of those who enter positions of leadership leave those positions before 5 years has elapsed. Why is that so. Well there may be many reasons. Many love the position they have been given but cannot handle the pressure. Others give in to the temptations of leadership and fall morally. Others get caught up in ideological pressures whilst others simply don’t have the maturity or personality required to fit the position they aspired to. A good leader identifies with those they are given to lead. Such empathy is a gift from God which is innately given at birth or developed as part of a Godly character.
Let us pray therefore:
* for all in positions of leadership that they would recognise their need of a relationship with God to bring out their best, or at the very least acknowledge that their leadership gift was given to them by their creator, and not acquired by training or personal activity.
* that like Paul they will recognise that His grace is sufficient for the task given to them to lead and that His power is made perfect in their weakness.
* that aspiring leaders will recognise that it is God’s Word and God’s power that changes lives and gets the job done, not the efforts of man.
Court Win for Christian Foster Care Applicants
In 2017, West Australian couple Byron and Keira Hordyk applied to Wanslea Family Services to become foster parents and provide foster care to vulnerable infants and toddlers in the child protection system. Their application was rejected because of their traditional Christian views on marriage and sex which Wanslea Family Services considered unacceptable and out of step with the prevailing Australian cultural norms, a view which is increasingly common with many Australian institutions. After a gruelling five-year process, the Hordyks have won their case. The WA State Administrative Tribunal found that key Wanslea evidence on this point was ‘avoidant, defensive and crafted to cast events in the most favourable light for Wanslea’ and that the Hordyks had been treated unfairly on the basis of their religious beliefs and were unlawfully discriminated against.
The Hordyk decision is a victory for common sense and provides an antidote to the polarised public discourse in Australian culture which increasingly demonstrates hostility to religion and especially Christianity. John Steenhof, principal lawyer of the Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA), who defended the Hordyks said, …” This landmark decision is a win for Christian foster care applicants and a victory for common sense and a fair go. Hostility towards Christianity is increasing right across Australia and is a serious threat to common sense pluralism. For Australia to flourish, it requires a true diversity of belief, opinions and cultures, but unless everyone gets a fair go we will not thrive and reach our full potential.”
Please pray:
“Perfect love drives out fear.” 1 John 4:18
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
* Pray for Brian and Keira Hordyk and thank God for their courageous persistence. Ask Him to protect them and fill them with His love as they renew their quest to be able to foster vulnerable infants and toddlers.
* Pray for John Steenhof and the Human Rights Lawyers Association. Ask the Lord to give them His strength, His wisdom and His love as they defend Christians who are unfairly treated.
* Pray as you feel led for Australia, particularly for our young who have often never heard of Jesus and His love. And let’s pray for all Christians in our country, that we might grow in the love that casts out fear.
Praying for Issues in the News
* A spirit of violence is rising in Australia as left-wing extremist activists are being matched by a rising tide of extreme right-wing activists. Clashes this week have resulted in a number of injuries on the part of protestors and also police. This is an unwelcome development which must be nipped in the bud before it takes hold in our normally peaceful nation. Please pray to bind the enemy from using the activity generated by these activists to establish a stronghold of violence on our streets. Pray for legitimate protests to be free from violence and for police to effectively quash troublemakers before they can cause fighting and disruption on our streets.
* The first signs of unrest within the Federal Government over the signing of the AUKUS agreement have begun to emerge. As well as some Labor parliamentarians expressing misgivings on the issue based on ideological grounds, Teal Independents and Senator David Pocock have raised concerns at the cost of the project. Given the vital importance of the project to the future defence of our nation it is important that the bi-partisanship that exists between the Labor and Liberal/National parties be maintained in the national interests. Please pray that at all times what is best for our nation would always be at the top of the agenda and that ideology and financial considerations, whilst being given proper consideration, would not be allowed to ultimately override the national interest.
* Pray for God’s will to be done in the election of a new Government in NSW this weekend and in the individual politicians elected. Pray especially for the election of those standing as Christians.
Praying For Others
This week let us pray for China. Pray that the Holy Spirit would teach isolated believers in God’s Word every day. Pray that they would be disciple and continue to grow in spiritual maturity.
Source: Australian Prayer Network
As this Prayer Watch bulletin is private the standard printing option is not available. If a printed copy is required, you will need to copy the body of the email and paste it into a blank document and print from that document.
Comments are closed