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by Brian Pickering, National Coordinator, Australian Prayer Network

Intention
We have a responsibility to elect representatives who will govern with justice and integrity.

Scripture
“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.”—Proverbs 8:12-16

“Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.”—Psalm 72:1-4

Reflection
When considering how we vote in an election, it is not just the policies of the respective parties that we must examine and consider, but equally, or even more importantly, we must examine the character and values of individual candidates and indeed of the parties themselves.

Therefore, today we are asking you to pray for the election of just, righteous and honest parliamentarians who will stand up for the biblical values that we as Christians hold dear. We would like to believe that all professing Christians standing for election would qualify as such people, however not all electorates will have Christians standing for election. As such, we must make a personal judgement as to which of the candidates we are being asked to vote for measures up to the high standard we should demand of our elected representatives.

The Bible reading today reminds us that those whom we elect to govern over us have a responsibility to defend the afflicted among us, to save the children of the needy and to crush those who would seek to oppress us (Psalm 72:4).

Moreover, Proverbs 8:13 says to fear the Lord is to hate evil. For a Government to govern justly and righteously those who are its representatives in Parliament must be people whose values espouse justice, righteousness and honesty. We the electors determine who those people are. We have a great responsibility to ensure those for whom we vote and elect are people of such character and integrity with a healthy fear of God.

Prayer
We ask you Lord to call and appoint those who are just, righteous, honest and with integrity to lead our country. We pray for leaders who have a fear of you and a respect for the people of Australia, who will govern us justly, righteously and honestly, looking after the best interests of the people in line with your own heart. We pray also for all candidates standing on a Christian platform that they would truly reflect Jesus in their public life and that God would grant them favour in their constituencies, that many people would vote for them because of their Christian stand. We pray that those who will hold the balance of power in the Senate will be men and women of faith and integrity, with a true sense of justice for all. Amen.

Editor’s Note: This devotion relates to the scriptures for the ‘35 Days of Prayer’ called by the Australian Prayer Network for the Federal Election. Subscribe here to receive newsletters and prayer points for the Australian Prayer Network.

Screen Capture – Prayer for Leaders

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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DEVOTIONAL 8 Author, 5 May
Election of Just, Righteous and Honest Parliamentarians

Brian Pickering
Brian leads the Australian Prayer Network, believed to be the largest prayer network in Australia. It is linked internationally to numerous national and international networks of prayer across the world. In Australia there are approximately 7000 registered members representing Churches of all Christian denominations, prayer groups and individual intercessors in every State and Territory of the nation.