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News Update 70                                                        13 July 2013

 

 Praying for the Coming Election

 

Recent months in federal politics have been tumultuous, sometimes shocking and even bizarre.  The events of the last few weeks highlight the need for those who have signed the Canberra Declaration, with its three focus areas of religious freedom, marriage and family and the sanctity of human life, to pray for the upcoming federal election.

  • 21 May – Kevin Rudd, as a professing Christian, unexpectedly changes his position and publicly endorses same-sex ‘marriage’ (see article). 
  • 18 June – Senator Cory Bernardi, after being forced to resign as shadow parliamentary secretary to Tony Abbott last year, comes under fire again for his speaking out on gay ‘marriage’ (see article). 
  • 25 June – new legislation is hastily pushed through under the radar nullifying religious exemption for aged-care institutions (see article).
  • 25 June – a Senate Committee dismisses Senator John Madigan’s gender-selective abortion bill without public hearings despite massive public interest and support (see article).
  • 26 June – Kevin Rudd returned as Prime Minister in a leadership spill described as the greatest comeback in Australian political history (see article).
  • 1 July – During the swearing in of the new Government ministry by Governor-General Qentin Bryce, many did
    not swear with their hand on the Bible (see article). 

All this shows the gradual erosion of Australian values based on the Judeo-Christian worldview or belief system
which the Canberra Declaration seeks to uphold.

Amidst the turmoil and confusion is a call by the Australian Prayer Network for 40 days of prayer and voluntary fasting for the federal election.  Originally planned to cover the 40 day period from 5 August to the election eve of September 13, the possibility of a new election date, as late as 30 November, means that it is unclear when the
40 day period would begin.  Nevertheless, the Australian Prayer Network, believing that prayer for the election must
take place, encourage us to standby ready to begin at a moment’s notice should an early election be called.

And so we commend to you this strategic prayer initiative of the Australian Prayer Network and encourage you to take part if at all possible.  Australia needs your prayers!

Australian Prayer Network’s Brian Pickering writes in their newsletter, “We therefore invite all Christians across Australia to a season of 40 days of daily prayer and voluntary fasting for our nation and for the election process,
as the Lord leads.  We also invite other prayer networks across the nation to freely use our material within their own networks and invite all Churches to publish each week in full or edited form, the prayer points we have issued so that their members can also share in this season of national prayer.” 

The dates, specific prayer points and Bible readings for the 40 days are available on their website and may be downloaded and reproduced as required. They only ask that due acknowledgment of the source be included in any reproduction.

Brian Pickering further shares, “These elections will have far-reaching implications for the future direction of our nation, and as concerned citizens, and as Christians who believe that the Word of God implores us to pray for those in authority, it is our rightful duty to not only vote but to ask that the hand of God guides and directs the outcome of the election in accordance with His perfect will.”

In closing, as we pray for the coming election, let us be encouraged and guided by the words of the apostle Paul which were written during the despotic rule of the Roman Emperor Nero.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ” (I Timothy 2 1-4).

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Yours for More Prayer

David Rowsome and Warwick Marsh

Canberra Declaration Team

PS.  Please find below an Australian media release telling how the above Australian Prayer Network call to 40 days
of prayer for the election has inspired the National Day of Prayer and Fasting team to call the world to 40 days of prayer, fasting and repentance from the 6 August – 14 September 2013. We encourage you to join in this prayer season if you are able. 

Your prayers can change not only Australian history but world history. Pray for the Australian elections
and the world all at the same time.

You are more than welcome to listen to the web-based Billion Souls Revival Prayer Call telephone conference at
7am AEST on the 17th July 2013 (4pm CDT on 16th July in USA). Just click this link to listen and join in prayer as
we work together to promote this exciting global prayer initiative.

On another very interesting note, please check out the first of ten in the new series called The Bible to be shown
on Tuesday the 16th at 9pm on Channel 9.

 

Media Release

 

Australian Prayer Network Inspires

Worldwide 40-Day Prayer Call

Global Call for 40 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance

6 August – 14 September 2013

 

 

This global prayer call, inspired by the Australian Prayer Network’s call for 40 days of prayer and voluntary fasting, will conclude on Saturday 14 September 2013.  This will be an International Day of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance and coincides with Yom Kippur, Israel’s National Day of Atonement.  How did this come about?

On 30 January 2013 the former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced the federal election date as 14 September 2013. Although unprecedented, it took the title of the longest election campaign in our nation’s history and allowed for effective prayer planning. On 8 May the Australian Prayer Network announced their nation-wide call.

The National Day of Prayer and Fasting team were aware that calling for an International Day of Prayer and Fasting could be of historic importance.  Since the ancient Biblical Day of Atonement was on the election day, they decided to talk with International prayer leaders about a worldwide prayer focus. After the success of gathering 28 countries to pray and fast for 72 hours for the USA from 31 April – 2 May, they held a period of consultation with International prayer leaders.

Together they decided to call the whole world to 40 days of prayer, fasting and repentance in the lead up to Yom Kippur
on 14 September 2013. Julia Gillard is no longer Prime Minister and the new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has not confirmed the final election date, and may not have, even on 14 September.

In the light of this, the team of the National Day of Prayer and Fasting is still calling Christians across the world to pray
but is asking the praying people of Australia to prioritise prayer for the coming federal election as first articulated by Brian Pickering of the Australian Prayer Network. We encourage Christians everywhere to sign up for the Australian Prayer Network’s informative weekly emails. Please see their website for details.  

We greatly appreciate the supportive prayers of the praying people of Australia for this global call for 40 days of prayer, fasting and repentance as the core problems are the same across the globe. Governments cannot fix these problems, only Jesus Christ can. We need God’s intervention across the whole world at this time. We need revival
and transformation not only in our nation, but in the nations of the world.

Warwick Marsh, one of the team from Australia who is organising this International call to prayer, said, “Our world is in desperate need. Of the 7.1 billion men, women and children alive today, only 2.2 billion call themselves Christian. Widespread sexual immorality, promoted by much of the media, is ruining marriages, families and our individual lives. The attack on marriage continues in our Western countries. Marriage redefined is marriage destroyed.

Abortion is the leading cause of death in the world with an estimated 42 million unborn babies being killed each year.
In Australia alone as estimated 100,000 pre-born babies lose their lives to abortion each year. All this, and more, takes place in the context of a world that is in increasing turmoil.  The time has come for a worldwide call for prayer and repentance.”

David and Marilyn Rowsome, also members of the organising team said, “We believe it is time to humble ourselves before God, praying and fasting and repenting with fervency and urgency for ourselves, the Church and the nations.
As the worldwide Body of Christ, let us come before God and cry out for healing, revival and transformation as we
read in 2 Chronicles 7:14.”

Let us believe together for a harvest of at least a billion souls who find a living relationship with Jesus Christ! 

 

Four Point Prayer Plan

1. Pray for a worldwide outpouring of the Holy Spirit for revival and transformation of the nations of the world.

2. Pray for a billion people to find Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.

3. Pray for an end to abortion and for God to turn back the tide of death and immorality that is sweeping
    the nations of the world.

4. Pray for a multiplication of prayer, praise and worship to God across the world as never before,  

       to bring great glory to God.

For more information on the Billion Souls Revival Prayer Call: www.billionsoulsrevivalprayercall.org                                                                        or like and follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BillionSoulsRevivalPrayerCall

Download Poster/Flyer: www.nationaldayofprayer.com.au/assets/Billion-Souls-Theme-A3-FINAL-LR.pdf

Phone: Warwick Marsh – 0418 225 212  or David and Marilyn Rowsome – 07 3422 0969

Email:  info@nationaldayofprayer.com.au

Please check out the Australian Prayer Network’s website for updates on praying for the Australian federal election.

 

 

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www.canberradeclaration.org.au
Protecting Our Australian Values 

P.O. Box 378, Unanderra NSW 2526     info@canberradeclaration.org.au

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The Canberra Declaration is the work of many people and organisations. The administration of the initiative is being supported by the Australian Christian Values Institute and Australian Heart Ministries.
A big thank you to those who have already contributed! Every donation makes such a difference.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.
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