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As voting for the 2022 Australian federal election begins, let us pray fervently for the future of our country, that God’s will be done and His reign begin in the hearts of men.

This is a sequel to my previous piece, Our Kingdom is Not of This World, But We Still Live in It: 2022 Federal Election.

I guess no one who is sane and rational, naturally enjoys warfare. But I guess those spiritually aware might concede they can enjoy spiritual warfare, especially when they get to experience a spiritual breakthrough.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Wow, this is heavy stuff. Ephesians 6 has been a most significant chapter throughout my life’s journey, but I sense that for the church at large, it has not received much attention.

The First Battle

I think the first battle in this warfare is to recognise the enemy. It is not Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese or any of the other political leaders. No, the enemy is rather the spiritual unseen authorities, the cosmic powers over this present darkness. The Bible makes clear to me that, in Christ, we have authority over these powers — we simply have to take up this authority in Jesus’ name.

For me it helps me to imagine a series of ‘strings’ attached to the cosmic powers, that pull the players down on earth, first this way and then that way, causing them to dance according to the enemy’s tune. For example, consider any political party you might be familiar with. Have you noticed how they seem to have shifted their focus in recent years from the party you once knew? Well, for me, that’s a tell-tale sign they have been ‘played’ by these cosmic powers and they can’t even see it.

So, my encouragement in this first battle is to pray for the values you hold dear, that they would be demonstrated in your leaders. Pray that your political leaders will be true to their values and not drift off course to another agenda they never actually signed up for. What we are praying for here is praying for integrity in leadership.

Integrity is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. (Wikipedia)

The Second Battle

I think the second battle is to recognise the enemy’s objectives.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy… ~ John 10:10a (NIV)

Here I am praying that the Lord would show me, in the spiritual realm, what has been happening on the local, national, and international scale. In recent years, has there been greater freedom for the Gospel, for the church, for justice and for mercy? I don’t think so; rather the contrary. It seems to me that Australia has been suffering an onslaught from the evil one on so many different levels; sadly, culminating in the untimely death of thousands, the enemy’s prime objective.

So, my prayer is to ‘first bind the strong man’ (Matthew 12:29) and then claim liberty for his captives. So, I quote this scripture in my prayers and believe that the Lord hears my prayer. This makes the power of the enemy over our leaders impotent, powerless.

Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. (Matthew 12:29)

For many years now, I have respected the ministry of Derek Prince. Here, in this video clip, he unpacks the principle of ‘first binding the strong man’ very well. Derek emphasises the need for us to start at home, before going out and taking on cities and nations in our spiritual warfare, although I am sure that the Lord will run to answer any fervent prayers from His children at any time.

It seems to me that there are many objectives of the evil one. I find it best to focus my prayers on one objective at a time as the Lord directs me. For example, right now ‘division’ and ‘disunity’ concern me. At a time when, as a global community, we need to be united in the service of others, we are perhaps more fractured than ever before.

So, my prayer is to bring peace and unity where there has been discord, harmony where there has been resentment. In praying for my local community along these lines, I can then reach out and pray these things for our leaders as we head toward the 2022 federal election.

The Third Battle

It seems to me that the enemy is targeting democratic elections everywhere. It seems to me that one of his tactics is to take away ‘personal responsibility’ (democracy) and to bring in stronger and stronger centralised governments where the enemy’s objectives can be more swiftly enacted (dictatorships). I am getting quite political here!

So, my prayers are for personal responsibility to be championed and the effects of the over-reach of controlling big governments, without the sanction of the people, would be stifled and curtailed.

My prayers in this third battle are for ‘free and fair elections’, without the hint of scandal, irregularity, or external interference. I am praying for the highest level of integrity in all aspects of the elections, including the unbiased dissemination of information prior to polling, the operations of the polling itself and the tallying of the votes.

I am sure that the enemy would love nothing better than to ‘engineer’ an election that ensured the return of politicians that are most easily persuaded to adopt his policies. So, my prayer is for absolute integrity in the conduct of the election, that the enemy’s hands will not be seen anywhere.

I am praying for the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), for all their officers, for communication and transparency in all their operations. I am praying for all the voting places and the supervision of their operations. Finally, I am praying for the collection, tallying of the votes and the work of returning officers and their teams.

Ensure Your Armour is Intact

Spiritual warfare is dangerous. Ephesians 6 tells us about all the relevant pieces of armour we should have on when we engage in battle. Yes, spiritual warfare is dangerous, but I believe it is more dangerous if we don’t engage the enemy. Let’s all understand the tactics of the enemy and make our stand against him, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

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Photo by Ksenia Chernaya.