Why Take Offence?
It is normal to take offence in our society and hard to resist. It is easy to take offense over things people say, do, have done or even over the tone in their voice. Wise people are patient when others act offensively towards them. They don’t act or speak without thinking first. It doesn’t mean they accept what is contrary to their values and beliefs. (based on Pb 19:11) There are many past wounds which can and still do cause offence. We know each of us is responsible for our own hurt feelings and can learn to forgive. By not forgiving we can constantly continue to be offended by what others are doing, saying, or have done. Bearing these grudges generally means people bear unbearable personal burdens. As a nation we’ve become very reactionary … we react to things, we react to darkness, and we get angry. Secure Christians can be more capable of coping with doubts, able to take the hits, less easily offended and quicker to forgive. People are taking offence about their differences in attitudes to climate change, abortion, gender change, euthanasia, same sex marriage and racial stereotypes. People are then offended or even outraged by the things other people say about their beliefs or values.
For our culturally and ethnically diverse society to function well there needs to be more respect for the dignity of all its members. Some old-fashioned ideas of courtesy and good manners embody that kind of world view that is no longer around. Jesus says, “Woe to the world because of offenses! (Matt 18:7) We can easily take offence over specific government policies, or laws or over the words or the actions of individuals , groups of people or other Christians. What people think affects the way they respond. It is the choice they make. It is not something inflicted or imposed upon them. Even if someone is directly insulting us, it’s ultimately our choice as to how much we let the insults get to us and how we react. “Good sense makes us slow to anger, and it is our glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11). Jesus did say to the disciples, “offences will come but woe to the people , through which it comes. It would be better for them that a millstone was hung about their necks, and they were cast into the sea, than that they should offend one of these little ones.(Lk 17.1-2) Let us be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. (Jam 1:19 )
Let’s pray:
* That love will persist as a basis of all our relationships. That in parliament, on the internet, in society, in churches and homes, grace and love will prevail in people’s hearts and turning the other cheek will not be taken as a sign of insipid timidity.
* For people to develop greater resilience and become less likely to take offense.
* Because we love those for whom we pray and recognise that in some mysterious ways our prayers can change things and because we believe nothing is impossible to God and He can do it.
Union Power Misused
Victorian CFMEU leader John Setka has defied calls from Anthony Albanese and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke to abandon his bitter dispute with the AFL, vowing to proceed with a work-to-rule campaign to disrupt league projects. Declaring the Prime Minister should “stay out of it”, Mr. Setka dismissed the warning by Mr. Burke that the union risked breaking the law, and insisted the union could ensure AFL projects were negatively impacted without risking prosecution. “We know how the system works probably a bit better than Tony Burke does,” Mr. Setka said. Three other major unions are backing CFMEU boss John Setka’s campaign. In another example of misused union power, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) has warned Virgin’s owner against appointing the current frontrunner to its CEO job because they do not like him. These attempts by Union bosses to exert power over even the Prime Minister of the country is unprecedented and of serious concern for the rule of law in our country. Attempts to govern who companies appoint to senior positions in their company is also outside the legitimate responsibilities of Unions.
Please pray:
* That wiser heads in the Union movement will prevail and steer the CFMEU and the TWU away from their attempts to rule our nation according to their preferences thus risking the rise of anarchy within the Industrial segment of our nation.
* That rank-and-file Union members will rise up and exert pressure on their Union bosses to moderate their behaviour and keep their focus on the well being of union members rather than seeking to venture into fields outside of their mandate as Union leaders.
* That our government leaders and Company Directors will not be intimidated to fall into line with renegade Union leaders but show strong leadership by taking a public stand against bullying behaviour initiated by Union leaders.
The Role of Religion Under Attack in Australia
The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, who is one of Australia’s most senior Catholics, has warned that the ability of Australians to “gather, speak freely, pray together and undertake works of service for others” is being reduced “slice by slice”. He called on political leaders to come together to protect religious freedoms and religious institutions, including schools and hospitals, from growing attack. His warning comes as a result of the Albanese government’s proposal to accept the findings of the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) recommendations for new legislation which would strip faith-based institutions of their protections in the Sex Discrimination Act and introduce new stand-alone protections for religious institutions. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has said that the government would not legislate without bipartisan agreement “because we don’t want to see division or to walk down a path of division in this country”.
The opposition appears likely to condemn the proposed changes, as a growing number of Coalition back benchers argue they cannot vote on any legislation that includes the removal of section 38 of the Sex Discrimination Act. Archbishop Fisher says the ALCR report reflects a trend to “talk down the contributions made by believers and their institutions to our social capital and to narrow their opportunities to serve. Our political leaders must reject the report not only because of the damage it would do to faith-based schools, but also because of the signal it sends about people of faith and their activities not being welcome in our community”.
Please pray:
“Blessed are those who … walk in the light of your presence, Lord … For You are their glory and strength.” Psalm 89:15-17
* Pray for Archbishop Anthony Fisher and all other Christian leaders who are standing firmly against efforts to reduce the ability of Australians to gather, speak freely, pray together, and undertake works of service for others. Thank God for their leadership that encourages all of us to walk in the light of His presence and to rely on Him for strength.
* Please pray that the Coalition under Peter Dutton’s leadership does not support the proposed changes. Pray for wisdom for him and the members of the Coalition.
* Pray for the great south lands of the Holy Spirit, of which Australia is part. Pray that we will see God’s glory and strength poured out on our lands and that a great tide of people come to see and “walk in the light of His presence “.
Praying for Issues in the News
* With the announcement by the Opposition of their nuclear energy policy the scene is set for this issue to become a critical issue that will decide how people vote. Already the dividing line between the renewable policies of Labor and that proposed by the Coalition parties is becoming clear and the debate over which is best will take up much of the airspace between now and the next election. Let us pray that the debate will be clean and clear, with fear tactics put to one side and that what is best for the country will become very clear and will be the basis on which people will cast their vote in the upcoming election.
* The offices of Federal Politicians continue to be attacked and defaced by pro-Palestinian protesters which is unacceptable in our democracy. Pray that the police will be able to effectively deal with those undertaking such attacks and that all protests in our nation would be free of violence and hate and based on accurate understanding of all facts as they relate to the topic of each protest.
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 the consequence of Broken Covenant that have affected our nation: Judges 17:1-6, Romans1:28-32, Isaiah 24:5-6.
Source: Australian Prayer Network
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