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Intention
All Christians have the responsibility to love and pray for their nation.

Scripture

“The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah… And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven… Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.”—Nehemiah 1:1, 3-4; 2:17-18

Reflection
Nehemiah was a man of prayer who God mightily used to bring restoration and social transformation for the nation of Israel. Nehemiah was not a priest nor a prophet, but he was an ordinary person who lived during Israel’s exile days. He was a cupbearer for the pagan king of the Persian Empire.

When Nehemiah heard from his brothers about the misery of his people; the ruin of their city Jerusalem; and the sufferings of the nation of Israel, he was moved with compassionate love and zeal for action. The Scriptures say that he wept, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven for many days—in fact, probably around four months!

Nehemiah was passionate about the things of God. God used him to bring physical restoration to the city of Jerusalem, social transformation to Israel, and most importantly, spiritual revival to the nation.

Like Nehemiah, as we pray and intercede for a situation, God will give us direction and provision to be part of the solution for the season we live in, and for the world around us. (Compare Nehemiah 2:17-18 and Acts 13:1-3, 22, 36).

Prayer is like a spiritual GPS for God’s children, so that we can realign with His will and purpose for our personal life and our world. As Billy Graham pointed out, “You cannot pray for someone and hate them at the same time.” Without love, prayer can be burdensome and tiring. But when we pray, we are moved to love for the object of our prayer.

Those who love Australia must pray for Australia and get involved as the Lord leads and when the need arises. Ordinary people like you and me are the answer for this generation and for this nation. As we pray, we will see God move during Go2020 and beyond.

Prayer
Father, I pray today for our nation and for all Australians across every state—for divine restoration, social transformation, spiritual revival and healing and economic recovery post-COVID-19. We also pray that we might share Your love with those around us. Give us Your divine grace, wisdom, and boldness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

BONUS: Here’s a longer Daily Declaration article by Aschallew Robelie on the responsibility to love and pray for our nation.

31 Days Prayer Points
1. Pray for five people and share the Good News of Jesus with them.
2. Pray that God would use His people to reach one billion people this May.
3. Pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, both in Australia and globally.

Dr Aschallew Robelie (Shalom) is a pastor and missionary with Foursquare Churches in Western Australia. He also coordinates the Ministers Fellowship WA monthly prayers in order to empower the body of Christ.

www.foursquareaustralia.org

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Daily devotions brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.