Seeking Something More
In 1974 Catherine Marshall wrote a book entitled “Something More” It was her quest for a fuller, richer relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Candidly she revealed the challenges her faith underwent and how personal tragedies led her to a new, life-changing understanding of the Spirits work. Although written 50 years ago it contains gems about what we still need for our quest for a fuller, richer relationship with God through the Holy Spirit today. Clark Taylor has also had such a quest. He was born in Queensland in 1937 grew up in a farming family. He was running stock camps of up to eight men by age 16 and, after his father died, took charge of the million-acre property. He had never been to school and didn’t read or write much. He described himself as being very rough, very quick-tempered, had been against religion and thought Ministers were bludgers.
One night of the Billy Graham’s crusade in 1959, Jesus had appeared in the air in front of him. He knew in his heart that His sacrifice was real. He didn’t remember one word that Billy Graham said but was occupied with his vision of Christ. He said he wasn’t frightened of anything, fights or wild horses or cattle, but was frightened to get up and walk out in front of all those people, so he cried ‘Jesus, help me’, and found himself going to the front. He used to memorise every written word Billy Graham sent him personally, listening again and again so often to records of him preaching that he memorised them, too. Eventually Clark started a quest to talk to his mate, God. At first, he became offended when he heard no answer from Him. In the Territory mateship matters, so he thought that Jesus wasn’t much of a mate because He hadn’t responded. But he was so determined to have a relationship with God.
Eventually this paid off. He learned to hear God’s voice and said “God is not difficult to know. God is easy to know, provided you come from your inner life”. Part of learning to talk with God was his learning to expect to hear from Him, but to listen and believe when He did. Clark described God as incredibly gracious, while he was rough. He thought that when he gave up swearing, he’d be OK, but as soon as he gave up swearing, he realised he had another problem. After a while, he cottoned on to what God did. God just needed to give Clark a bit at a time. God didn’t hold his past against him and loved him anyhow. It was God’s graciousness. Clark then found God easy to know, provided he came from his inner life. He would use his head to discuss and argue but it was through his spirit, his inward person, the hidden person of his heart, deep within him that he knew God, a God who really loved him. Clark had a life and ministry that left a profound impact on countless people across Australia and internationally. When he died at 83, Clark had had a life full of encounters with the Holy Spirit and best remembered as a man who powerfully ministered through God’s anointing. He was the founder of a movement that has touched not only Australia, a country he deeply loved, but also reached people all around the world.
So, let’s pray:
* That out of God’s glorious riches He may strengthen more of us with power through his Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide, long, high, and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge. That we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Eph3:16-19)
* Thanking God for those like Clark Taylor whose dynamic preaching, unwavering commitment to sharing the Gospel left a profound impact on the lives of countless people across Australia and internationally.
* For more Christians to want to seek something more – a fuller, richer relationship with God through the Holy Spirit that enables them to fulfil whatever visible or invisible role He has chosen for them.
Mental Health of our Children
Australia’s primary school age children are angrier, lonelier, more anxious and less able to control their emotions than they were 5 years ago according to new research. This is despite the increased societal concern for childhood wellbeing and focus on resilience. The picture is similar in secondary school students where one in two say they feel “very stressed”. Adolescent mental health expert and psychologist, Michael Carr-Gregg, said in my 30 years in the field I’ve never seen anything like the level of stress and anxiety that today’s children and adolescents are going through”. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute professor of pediatrics Harriet Hiscock said that social media has been part of the reason behind the numbers.
Please pray:
* Pray for revival, for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, so that parents can teach and train their children, so that teachers can train and teach their students, and so that our youth may grow up strong and resilient knowing the love of God and following His teachings.
* Pray against the tide of apostasy and unbelief flooding our schools. Pray for insight, courage and vision for Christian teachers, both in Christian and in secular schools.
* Pray for all parents and families, that they be given wisdom as to how to assist their children to cope with social media pressures in today’s world.
Boy Allegedly behind $100,000 Vandalism Attack on Electorate Office Set to Avoid Criminal Record
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with attacking the electoral office of Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns. He hit the glass facade 14 times with a sledgehammer, smashing the windows, and spray-painted slogans, such as “Zionism is fascism”, on the walls of the office. An 18-year-old woman assisted him. Two other masked accomplices carried jerry cans of petrol, opened two telecommunications pits and pour petrol in them, according to police. Small fires were lit in the pits. Police also charged the 17-year-old boy and 18-year-old woman with a second vandalism incident at the Honorary Consulate General of France on July 17. 6 other suspects in the two vandalism incidents are yet to be identified according to police.
In court, magistrate Elizabeth Langdon heard the boy had been found suitable for diversion therapy, which was supported by the prosecution. Following the court hearing, MP Joshua Burns said he wanted to see peace in the Middle East but that attacks on offices only heightened hostilities. “I hope from this we can learn the desperate need to talk to and understand one another instead,” he said. “This was a distressing experience for my staff and surrounding tenants.”
Please pray:
* Pray that police and courts start to apply appropriate consequences for the antisemitic attacks that are increasing, as weak responses fail to deter the vandals.
* Pray that the lies and misinformation spread by most of our news outlets regarding the attacks on Israel, and the attacks on Jewish communities in our country, are recognised for what they are.
* Pray for our Jewish communities in Australia, many of whom are living in fear, fear of another Holocaust. Pray that we Australians do not turn a blind eye to what is happening, as so many did leading up to and during the second World War.
Praying for Issues in the News
* The deaths of two Australian backpackers in Laos due to being poisoned by having their drinks spiked has been a devastating experience for their family. The death of others from different countries has added to the drama. At time of writing investigations are continuing without any charges being laid. Please pray for the families who have lost loved ones and for the police undertaking the investigations so that those responsible for the deaths of those who have lost their lives will be brought to justice.
* As the weather begins to heat up across Australia, we have been warned that our power grid may not be robust enough to avoid blackouts in different states and cities. Please pray that those responsible for managing the distribution of power resources will be given wisdom and expertise to assist in avoiding blackouts and maintaining regular power supplies to both businesses and homes across the nation. Pray too for a more lasting solution to the power crisis affecting our nation as we seek to transition from fossil fuels to renewables.
Praying for our Nation
The education system of today has lost all absolutes and puts its trust in the wisdom of this world instead of the wisdom of God. Let us pray that our national leaders will recognise the failures of our current education system and will lay aside political agendas, to restore godly values to education.
Psalm 49:1-14, 16-20, 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Source: Australian Prayer Network
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