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WPA 2023 in Perth was a time of concentrated intercession and praise, which made waves in the heavenly places for the glory of God!

From 3–6 October, over 80 people from Canberra Declaration took part in the World Prayer Assembly (WPA) in Perth WA. We were joined by thousands from over 40 different countries in attendance in Perth, plus millions watching online.

Canberra Declaration played a significant role in bringing the WPA to Australia. It is highly unlikely that the WPA would have happened without the prayer and financial support from Canberra Declaration. You can read more about that here.

Our praying community also sowed into its build-up through much intercession during the Wave of Glory 21 days of prayer and fasting last month. The Wave of Glory daily prayer devotions went around the world.

We are amazed and humbled that God chooses to use anyone, anywhere, for His purposes. All he needs is open hands. We desire to be those outstretched hands.

Find the recorded sessions from the entire WPA at the bottom of this page!

A Powerful Opening to a Powerful WPA

There were so many moving moments but we can only mention a few. The procession of every nation’s flag towards the front while the words of “Amazing Grace” were sung was surely one of them.

Powerfully, the flags passed by both sides of the communion table that had been set up in the middle of the Perth Exhibition Centre. It was a beautiful portrayal that the slain Lamb of God is central to every person, tribe, language and nation (e.g. Rev 7:9).

As each nation’s flag passed by the communion table, it was a vivid demonstration of presenting the nations before the Lamb. The psalmist proclaims that the whole Earth belongs to the Lord – and not just the land, but all “its inhabitants” (Ps 24:1).

Indigenous leader Gloria Watkins carried the Australian flag and opened the WPA with these words:

“Our God is calling us to unify together as one. A true spirit of unity and freedom and fellowship with the Holy Spirit… One body, one mind, one Spirit, and one life: Yeshua Hamashiach [Jesus Messiah]. He is all we need.

“God is taking this land back, and every other nation, because it belongs to Him… I stand here as an Aboriginal lady of this land, and I say ‘Lord, have your way. Take back your voice in this nation. Take it back, Jesus.’”

Praying for a Global Harvest

The 2023 WPA was an incredible time of pouring ourselves out before God in ‘preceding and prevailing prayer’ for an outpouring of the Spirit for a global harvest. Watch the video below for a taste of WPA!

The crying out for a global awakening took place within an interesting context. Rick Ridings from Succat Hallel (a prayer house overlooking the Temple Mount in Jerusalem) strongly advocated that the Church pray against an escalation of global conflict on the scale of a world war.

The purpose behind this prayer is that global evangelisation would not be hindered by war.

We did not know it at the time, but the very day after the WPA concluded, Hamas launched its attack against Israel on Saturday 7 October 2023. The conflict has the potential to escalate to major proportions, which we must continue to pray against.

Needless to say, the timing of WPA seems more than coincidental in current global affairs.

In hindsight, our focus on Israel during Go Month in May takes on a new significance due to the tragedy unfolding which is filling our news screens these past few weeks.

Despite the turbulence in the nations, we are reminded that God is in control of history (Dan 2:20–21) and that He is able to direct and empower His Church to rise up and respond accordingly.

This promise remains true: “The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Canberra Declaration Comes Together

The WPA gave the very rare opportunity for the Canberra Declaration family to come together in person. With people from every corner of the country assembled in the same place, the opportunity to connect could not be missed!

So many of us know each other’s faces from a computer screen, but there’s nothing like standing together side by side in the same room. One testimony put it like this:

“What was a true blessing to me was meeting so many of the Canberra Declaration crew. To see people face-to-face was sooooo good. Such wonderful people who genuinely love Jesus, who love Australia and want more of Jesus in every part of their lives. I am truly blessed to be part of what God is doing here in Australia.” – Ben Matson

Not to miss the very rare opportunity of being in the same location, a Thursday evening informal dinner was held for the Canberra Declaration community.

As everyone present can testify, it was a special occasion. New connections were made, existing friendships were renewed, and appreciation for what God has given us was evident.

Five Takeaways from the WPA

1. Pray for the Church to become a house of prayer for all nations.
2. Pray for the Church to fall in love with Jesus to accomplish the great commission out of the overflow of God’s love.
3. Pray for the prayer movement to serve and pray for the mission movement to see the gospel released across the earth.
4. Pray for the release of the next generation in prayer and gospel ministry around the world.
5. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray against a premature third world war which will greatly hinder the proclamation of the gospel in the earth.

A Special Thanks

There were so many different ways that people have helped this prayer assembly in Perth. Those from Perth opened their homes to travellers. Many volunteered to make the WPA run smoothly. So many have prayed, prayed and prayed again, consistently and prevailingly, for our nation and the nations.

Many have given financially, which helped some with scholarships to attend and even made it possible for some leaders to travel to Perth and play a significant upfront role.

Canberra Declaration was one of the many ministry sponsors of the event. Furthermore, donations from the Canberra Declaration supporters helped evangelist Pat Steele and worship leader Charlotte Marandawela travel to Perth. Both made significant contributions to the success of the WPA.

We wish to say a massive thank you to everyone for your support. It has made the WPA not an event – but a moment and movement – that time will tell how God uses for His glory.

No matter our gifts, calling or abilities, it is such a privilege to be a part of a movement to see Jesus glorified in our nation.

Thank you.

Yours for a wave of the Lamb’s glorify across our nation,

Samuel Hartwich & Warwick Marsh

World Prayer Assembly Recorded Sessions

Below you will find every session from the WPA, along with a brief description of its main emphasis.

3rd October Night Session

The first session of the WPA included the flag procession and opening prayer/address by Canberra Declaration prayer leader Gloria Watkins. Jason Hubbard, James Condon, Ps Margaret Court and Dean Briggs. Ps Daniel Hagen gave a message on ‘preceding and prevailing prayer’.

4th October Morning Session

The older generation prayed for the young generation. Rick Ridings gave the main address, sharing the spiritual significance of the Tonga volcanic eruption in January 2022.

4th October Night Session

This night session was led by Margaret Court and included prayer for specific nations in Oceania. Margaret Court, Rick Ridings and Jenny Hagger led prayer against a demonically-induced global world war.

5th October Morning Session

Nick Scott led the morning session and centred prayer on the Church as family, and the nuclear family (parents and children), blessing God’s good creational design.

5th October Night Session

Indonesian leaders led this session, headlined by Ps Niko Njotoraharjo who spoke on the importance of fulfilling the great commission, and God’s power to accomplish it.

6th October Morning Session

Evangelist Pat Steele led prayer for a rising up of youth across the nation to go to greater depths in accomplishing the great commission.

6th October Night Session

The final session focussed on the centrality of communion and its restoration in the Church, led by Dean Briggs. The WPA finished with many people from many nations prayed for their nation in their own language, an amazing display of the breath of the Church.