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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 consider. Equally, or even more importantly, we must examine the character and values of the 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. Accordingly, 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 we elect to govern us have a responsibility to defend the afflicted among us, save the children of the needy, and crush those who would seek to oppress us. (Psalm 72:4)

Moreover, Proverbs 8:13 says that 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 that those for whom we vote are people of such character and integrity with a healthy fear of God.

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Prayer

We ask You, Lord, to call and appoint those who are just, righteous, honest and have 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.

Author Bio

Brian Pickering is the National Coordinator of the Australian Prayer Network, Australia’s largest prayer network of around 7000 members from all Christian denominations.  One of the main aims of the APN is to see spiritual renewal and revival of the Church and spiritual and social transformation of the nation.  They also aim to equip and train the church for more effective prayer.

21 Days Prayer Points

1. Pray that God would rule over this election, 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 Revival for Australia, Spiritual Awakening and Transformation for our nation, and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:16

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