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by Ps Jenny Hagger, Senior Minister, Kingsgate Hub
Director, Australian House of Prayer for All Nations

Intention
The call for the church in Australia to stay vigilant after the election.

Scripture
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”
—Colossians 4:2

Reflection
There has been an awakening across our nation with Christians from a wide cross-section of the church joining in the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting called by Ps Margaret Court for the federal election. We have been especially alerted to the rising activity of the anti-Christ spirit attempting to influence the hearts and minds of our communities.

1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 further warns, “Watch, stand fast in faith, be brave, be strong.” Following the election, we need to be vigilant in the ongoing spiritual battle over our nation, continuing to make a stand to see the fulfilment of the promises of God for Australia.

As Ps Margaret Court declared when she called our nation to prayer, we must be a strong voice for righteousness, truth and justice. We can no longer stay silent, or feel the pressure of intimidation and persecution.

The meaning of the word vigilant is “watchful, keeping watch, keeping awake” (Oxford Dictionary). The words watchman, watch, watching and watchful are mentioned 165 times in the Bible, but if we include words like see or observe, it is over 300 times!

The key Hebrew words are SHAMAR—to watch, hear or observe, and TSAPHAH—to look. “I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected.” Habakkuh 2:1. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, said to His disciples, “stay here and keep watch with me”. When he returned to them he found them sleeping and he rebuked them, as we read about in Matthew 26:40-41.

We are Christ’s ambassadors walking out God’s prophetic timeline for our nation. Australia has a great Kingdom destiny among the nations of the world, and especially as part of the South Pacific family. We have been given an apostolic grace to build in our region and to see the bigger picture of our Kingdom destiny as Australians.

God is calling us however, to be vigilant to the dangers that lie ahead, and to stand guard against influences that plan to harm our nation. “Arise, shine, for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” —Isaiah 50:1-2

Prayer
Father, we lift up the name of Jesus over our nation: King of Kings and Lord of Lords, The Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. We thank you for calling us together across Australia to fast and pray at this hour, filling your golden bowls with our incense. We ask that you strengthen us to persevere in the days ahead to see your Kingdom purposes established in our nation. We pray that by the power of your Holy Spirit we remain in prayer, vigilant at all times. Grant us boldness to speak out against vain philosophies and unrighteous acts. Make us strong as watchmen and gatekeepers over our cities and towns. Unite us as your family, as sons and daughters of your Kingdom, and a light to all around us. We thank you that when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice (Pr 29:2). We declare that grace and truth come through Jesus Christ (Jn 1:17) and of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end (Is 9:7).

Watch – Alpha & Omega by Israel Houghton

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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DEVOTIONAL 11 Author, 8 May
Watch and Stay Vigilant
Pastor Jenny Hagger

The Australian House of Prayer For All Nations (AHOPFAN), based in Adelaide, South Australia is a non-denominational, worship, prayer and research and networking centre that trains and equips intercessors throughout Australia. It was founded by Jenny Hagger in 1990.

Intercessors go out on local, national and international prayer assignments and teams are involved in key reconciliation initiatives.

Conferences and seminars are held throughout the year, with international leaders as guest speakers.