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Intention

Let us understand God’s purpose for Australia

Scripture

“Look at the nations & watch & be utterly amazed as I’m going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told!

Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets

    so that a herald may run with it.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time;

    it speaks of the end and will not prove false.

Though it lingers, wait for it;

    it will certainly come and will not delay.

 See, the enemy is puffed up;

    his desires are not upright — but the righteous person will live by his faith.

 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD  as the waters cover the sea.”

– Habakkuk 1:1, 2:2-4,14

Reflection

Many Christians were instrumental in the formation of South Australia. Among them was a man named Robert Torrens, who stated in a speech in the House of Commons in 1827 that “we are co-operating in the scheme of Providence and are the favoured instruments in causing Christian civilisation to ‘cover the earth as the waters cover the sea!’

On the 11th of June 1738, John Wesley blew the first trumpet call of the great evangelical revival. This revival was to have a deep and lasting effect on Britain and on those in succeeding generations.

Fifty years later a Christian minister gave the first service on Australian soil. The Rev. Richard Johnson was recommended as Chaplain to the first fleet because of his religious fervour — he was recommended by men such as William Wilberforce and John Newton. At this service, Johnson spoke from Psalm 116, Verse 12 — “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me.”

Johnson continued faithfully to proclaim the Gospel until the day he left. He wrote:

“I trust I have not laboured wholly in vain, and I trust in time, in spite of all opposition and obstacles, God will make bare His holy arm in the conversion and salvation of the souls of men… Last Sunday I preached I suppose to not less than six or eight hundred, and I have since heard that one at least went away sorrowful and heavy-hearted, and some others rejoicing in the Son of God manifested towards them.”

The second clergyman in Australia, Samuel Marsden, said:

“I can say this that I do not eat the bread of idleness. It is my opinion that God will ere long visit New South Wales with His heavenly grace. Out of these stones He will raise up children unto Abraham. There has not been any shaking yet among the dry bones, but the Son of Man is commanded to prophesy and I hope by and by the Lord will command the wind to blow. Stir up Thy strength, God, and come amongst us.” (Ezekiel 37)

Pastor Gerald Rowlands shares about a “Coming Visitation of God upon Australia” to remote Australia over sixty years ago. In the article, he says,

“It was really amazing how this seed came to be spread in this remarkable way. Even now I am not sure how God spread the seed like that.  It was done in part by literature, radio and television, but beyond all this, there was something new in the proclamation of the Gospel. It was something new that God was doing. I had the impression that God was working supernaturally in a way that He had not worked before as far as our own experience of Spiritual things is concerned. I had a strong impression that God was using preachers in a mightier way than we had ever seen.”

Now God is raising up Vision Christian Media, which today has over 770 radio stations, to accomplish this great vision, along with many other media outlets.

If you want to read more, we have outlined Our History of Prayer in Australia. We have documented many outbreaks of revival in Australia here. You can find God’s hand in our nation over many years and other articles on the Christian History Research website.

Video

Prayer

Lord,

We totally consecrate ourselves to Your vision and purpose for our beautiful land.

Let us be committed to seeing this take place!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Author Bio

Graham McLennan has been involved in organising prayer rallies such as the Washington for Jesus rally in the USA in 1980, the 1988 “National Gathering” in Canberra and the National Day of Prayer and Fasting. He has also chaired the National Alliance of Christian Leaders (NACL) since 1986 and founded, along with his wife, Pam, the Australian Christian History webpage.

Prayer Points for GO20 Good News Sharing Month

1. Pray for five people during May and share the Good News of Jesus with them. Acts 1:8
2. Pray for a Revival and Transformation for our nation, and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in Australia. John 3:16
3. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will thrust out labourers into the Gospel harvest. Pray that God would use His people to reach one billion people around the world this May during GO2020. Mark 16:15

We invite you to support this Prayer Campaign to multiply prayer to see every believer become active in sharing their faith with friends and family. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for Family, Faith, Freedom, Life and the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ His Son.

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Daily devotions brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.