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by Commissioner James Condon
Chairman, National Day of Prayer and Fasting

Intention
To humble ourselves and seek God through prayer for the restoration of Australia.

Scripture
“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.”
— 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

Reflection
Today’s Scripture is God’s remedy for a sick nation.The temple at Mt Moriah had taken seven years to build and was now complete and ready for dedication. The people had gathered for the special occasion and Solomon is kneeling on a small platform with his hands lifted towards heaven and he offers this prayer that we find in 2 Chronicles.

First of all, he reminds the people of the purpose for this house—it’s to be a house where people come to meet with God and find forgiveness of sins. It was not a house where God was to be contained as He is too big for this. Solomon prays that God would keep His eyes on this house and that God would hear and forgive when people come to this place to pray.

The temple was also a place where people could deal with personal and corporate sins. Sin is destructive personally and nationally, and we all need to seek forgiveness from the destruction of sin.

Solomon was also aware of the many problems that the people could experience if they turned their back on God — things like failed crops, diseases in crops and damage to crops from strong winds, locusts and mildew.

What problems are emerging in our nation because we have turned our back on the ways of God?

When the celebration for the opening of the temple had concluded, the people returned to their villages — the streets were empty. Solomon returned to his palace and had gone to bed, but his mind was reflecting on what had happened as the crowds were feasting and rejoicing because of the new temple that had been built.

In verses 12-13 we read that the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven so there is no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people…”

We have experienced many natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, fires and floods which God allows to wake up our nation. We have turned from God and are guilty of national sins. We are worshipping other gods. Christianity and God are ridiculed by individuals and via the media on a daily basis.

So God says to us, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Prayer
Lord God, we humble ourselves under Your mighty hand. We confess our sins, assured of the promise of 1 John 1:9— “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” We confess the sins of Australia, seeking forgiveness for the times we have failed to stand up and speak out—for when we have failed to be salt and light in our nation. We pray for the leaders of our nation, all Parliamentarians and Candidates for this Federal election. May Your Kingdom come. May Your will be done in Australia at this critical time in our nation’s history. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Screen Capture – I Surrender

Election Prayer Points
1. Pray that God would rule over this election so that righteous leaders would be elected to govern this nation in truth and justice because, “When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice.” (Proverbs 29:2)
2. Pray God’s blessing upon all our current parliamentarians and leaders, including their families and all the candidates of all the parties standing for this federal election. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
3. Pray for a multiplication of prayer and unity across the Body of Christ in Australia that people will wake up to the dangers facing our nation and respond in prayer. (Ephesians 5:14)
4. Pray for a Spiritual Awakening for Australia, Revival and Transformation for our nation and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:16)

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Election Prayer Daily Devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.

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Commissioner James Condon is the Chairman of the National Day of Prayer & Fasting and has been an Officer of the Salvation Army for more than 45 years, retiring from active service on 31st May 2016. He has served in a variety of leadership roles in three countries: Australia, Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom.

James has served as an Officer of The Salvation Army in local churches and at the Headquarters of The Salvation Army in various responsibilities including Public Relations, Fundraising and administrative and spiritual leadership, on staff at the Salvation Army College for Officer Training and as Divisional Commander of different Divisions and in London.

In 2011 James was appointed Commissioner for the Australia Eastern Territory, covering NSW, QLD and ACT. This involved some 400 centres of The Salvation Army, with 1,000 Officers of The Salvation Army and 4,000 employees. James and his wife have two daughters and four grandchildren and love spending time with their family.