Pray with Persistence
Before the recent election in the Solomon Islands there was a call for prayer and fasting across the nation. Last week Christian associations representing all the six mainline denominations in the country, hosted a dinner for the Prime Minister and handed him a submission. This was history in the making. Never at any time in the past have the churches in the Solomon Islands have had such an opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister. He acknowledged the importance of their submission and promised to work closely with the churches to address the issues raised in it. These were moral, social, and spiritual issues affecting their nation and an offer from church leaders to give a range of perspectives, expertise, and interests to help promote inclusion and prevent the marginalizing of certain groups within society. This could possibly be a help to develop more effective solutions to complex problems that affected the future of the nation.
If the government engages with the church leaders, their God given wisdom may result in more effective and innovative solutions to complex problems. There could be opportunities for feedback, scrutiny, and evaluation, which could help the policies and programs to be put in ways that better served the public interest and could help fulfil the hopes of the nation. Without God it is so easy for everyone to do what is right in their own eyes (Jud 21:25) and apart from Jesus we can do nothing. (Jn 15:5) Philip Yancey wisely writes: “The government can close down stores on Sunday but can’t compel worship. It can arrest and punish terrorists but can’t cure their hatred or teach them to love. It can pass laws making divorce harder or easier, but it can’t make marriage partners love one another. It can ban adultery but not lust; ban theft but not covetousness; outlaw cheating but not pride. It can encourage virtue but not holiness.”
As Solomon Islander Christians prayed for their nation, let us be thankful when we pray for our nation, and “cast our bread upon the waters, we will find it after many days.”(Ecc 11:1) Let us pray with persistence without necessarily seeing our prayers answered immediately. As we keep on praying, we may see our prayers answered, but not necessarily in the way nor the time we expect. But we have confidence in approaching God … He hears us. (1 Jn 5;14)
Let’s pray with confidence:
* Thanking God for the changes that are occurring in our nation where people are caring in some ways for the homeless, depressed, troubled, isolated, foreigners and marginalised. Let’s pray that this will be done with greater genuine caring, love and compassion and God given wisdom.
* That governments will engage increasingly with those who have God given wisdom, vision and sensitivity that helps develop better ways to address complex moral, social and spiritual issues that are affecting our nation.
* Lord, lead more of us to intercede faithfully for others. By Your Spirit put upon our hearts the people and situations you want us to pray for and help us to be faithful in doing so.
One in Five Former Detainees Charged with New Crimes Since Release
Nearly a fifth of former immigration detainees freed following the High Court’s landmark decision in November have since been charged with state offences, compounding pressure on the Albanese government to use new laws to lock up those at high risk of committing new crimes. According to figures recently shown to the Senate by Home Affairs, at least 28 of the 153 people released into the community on strict visa conditions after the court declared indefinite detention unlawful have been charged with offences under state laws. The figure is an increase from the 18 former detainees charged as of February 1. Asylum Seeker Resource Centre principal solicitor Hannah Dickinson said people released following the High Court decision were subject to minimal support, “invasive and distressing conditions and to alarming vilification by politicians and the media, a maelstrom which prevented many from accessing employment, housing and other vital supports”.
Please pray:
* That a solution that will result in a greater degree of safety for the general public will be found to this issue.
* For the victims of the crimes these former detainees have committed.
* Pray for the former detainees that they would receive proper and adequate support from Government and from within the community to assist them in not having to return to a life of crime in order to support themselves.
Anthony Albanese Says no Religious Freedom Changes Without Bipartisan Support
Anthony Albanese has informed his Labor caucus that he will not proceed with changes to religious freedoms – a Labor election promise – if Peter Dutton does not offer bipartisan support. Mr. Albanese said he has met with the Opposition Leader on the matter. He said, “If there is not agreement, then now is not the time to have a divisive debate, especially with the rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.” Ahead of the election Mr. Albanese promised that Labor would introduce its own religious discrimination bill. Peak bodies representing LGBTQI+ Australians are urging the PM to fulfil his election commitment and deliver laws that will “protect all of us, equally”. Equality Australia chief executive Anna Brown said a failure to pursue changes would deliver a “crushing blow” for those waiting for better protections, including women, people who are divorced or in de facto relationships and people of faith.
The Catholic Archbishop of Hobart, Julian Porteous, called on Labor to reject law reform proposals to remove protections for religious institutions from the Sex Discrimination Act. He described the proposals as “a most serious threat to the existence” of religious schools. He said, “It is vital that the Albanese government reject this attack on the freedom of our schools.” Islamic, Jewish and Christian leaders have expressed concerns about changes that would prevent schools from the employment of teachers who shared their beliefs and spiritual outlook. Archbishop Porteous said, “To teach and promote Catholic beliefs about sexuality and marriage, which we hold as truth, is not in itself an attack on those who may disagree. Disagreement is not hatred, vilification not discrimination.”
Please pray:
‘God said to Joshua, “Get up. Why are you groveling? Israel has sinned….” ‘Joshua 7:10 MSG
* Pray for our Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, that he does not go back on his statement that he would not proceed with changes to religious freedoms without bipartisan support.
* Pray for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, that he opposes the introduction of Labor’s religious discrimination bill and that he stands firmly for religious freedom, and particularly for Christian schools to have the complete freedom to choose their staff.
* Let us take Joshua 7:10 to heart and seek the Lord, interceding for our nation and our leaders.
Praying for Issues in the News
* The Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee took aim in its final report at audit and consulting giant Price Waterhouse Cooper accusing it of failing to remedy its failures that triggered the parliamentary inquiry last year after it was revealed last year to have misused confidential government tax briefings and shared the information within the firm to prepare it for the introduction of new tax laws in 2016. Please pray that with the exposure of alleged wrongdoing by one of our largest financial corporations that those found guilty of misusing confidential government information for financial gain will receive due punishment. Pray too that it will result in a broad-based review of the ethics of large corporations in the way they carry on their business.
* With the major political parties beginning to put together their policies for the next Federal Election there is a developing focus on climate change and energy policy as it relates to cost-of-living issues. The two major parties are diverging on these issues giving voters a clear choice as to which policy they prefer. Let us pray that the announcement of the respective policies will be positive with each party putting forward the benefits of their policy rather than simply attacking the policies of their opponents. Pray too that truth will prevail and that voters will be able to clearly understand and delineate the impact of each policy as they make up their mind for which party they will vote.
Praying for our Nation
The current condition of the land is a sign of the sin in the Church and the Nation. From the beginning of human habitation undealt-with sin and the resultant establishment of altars of offence have caused defilement of the land. Broken Covenant and Idolatry are two areas of sin that cause defilement of the land. We can no longer afford to leave this issue unaddressed.
This week by the study of His word and the revelation of His Spirit let us repent of those Covenants we have broken with our fellow Man. John 13:34-35, Mark 10:4-9,2 Samuel 21:1-3
Source: Australian Prayer Network
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