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One afternoon in 2022, as New South Wales was debating euthanasia, I joined a handful of pro-lifers gathered outside Parliament House. But a small distance away, a similar number of protesters had gathered to demand the introduction of euthanasia.

And there was no mistaking the two groups. Different coloured shirts. Different signs. Different slogans. And deeper than that, one group was standing for righteousness, the other for wickedness.

In Romans 1:18-32, Paul gives a staggering account of the wickedness of humanity. At the end of that passage, we read:

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:29-32 ESV)

It’s easy to see so much of our culture in these words. Yet, Paul isn’t writing for us to sit back and point the finger. Notice how Romans continues:

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. (Romans 2:1 ESV)

As we stand for truth, there is sometimes a danger of viewing people based on their camp and forgetting something common to all humanity. All of us are sinners, and all of us deserve God’s wrath. The good news is, Romans doesn’t finish there:

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (Romans 3:21-22a)

Worship:

Prayer:

Father, we confess that we are sinners who, by our own merit, deserve nothing but Your wrath. Thank You that in Your great mercy, You sent Your own Son to die for our sins. Thank You that those who trust in Him receive complete forgiveness and are clothed in His righteousness.

We rejoice in these gifts for ourselves, and we pray also for those who have not received them. Thank You that Your grace is freely given to all who turn to You. Grant repentance to many more. We pray this in the name of Jesus our Saviour, Amen.

Prayer Points:

Praise God for the riches of His grace for all who put their faith in Jesus.

Pray that many more, including those who champion wicked causes, might come to repentance and faith.

~ Rev Peter Barnes, Evangelicals for Life Sydney

Additional Prayer Points:

• It is crucial for Australians to stand united and shout out for the Babies Born Alive through failed abortion to be given life-saving treatment and care and not left to die. Pray for the Senate to vote for the Babies Born Alive Bill. Senator Matt Canavan, Senator Ralph Babet and Senator Alex Antic have co-signed a bill to give babies born alive from abortion a right to life. No More Delay! Let this become a loud election issue for this government. Hear firsthand a midwife’s grief and a Born Alive after a failed abortion story.

• Pray the Love Adelaide — Walk for Life 2024 on Feb 10^th from 10am-12pm will grow in momentum to double last year — that nothing will hinder the church standing against legalised abortion, to add their strength and support to end the abortion crisis in our nation and beyond. Pray for health for everyone, especially the overseas guest speaker, doors of favour to open, more volunteers for the walk and the weather to be favourable.

• We pray for every state and territory of Australia to recognise that every life is a gift from God — for the church to arise in the cause of defending life in the womb from the horror of abortion and come together to stand for life. For greater numbers to be in attendance at the “Walk for Life Adelaide” on 10 February 2024 and “March for Life” Brisbane — date TBA, Mackay “March for the Babies” October, “March for the Babies” Melbourne, Love Sydney Walk for Life — date TBA, Perth’s rally for Life in May, and for all Territories and States to join in and hold a Walk for Life in their city/region.
• Even though every state in Australia has changed Legislation to allow abortion up to birth, we can all work together to change such legislation. It’s all about numbers — Pray that we unify and work together to make abortion unthinkable in Australia. Pray for the number of awakened righteous politicians and leaders in every sphere of influence to increase, and be empowered and emboldened to change the laws and influence this generation with the truth about abortion.
• Ask for many more churches across the nation to be aware of the women in their midst who are suffering through having had an abortion. To have spiritual discernment to identify women with a crisis pregnancy who need the help, hope and love of Jesus to keep the baby or choose adoption into a loving home. That every church be a trusted place of mercy and compassion to be known and operating as Houses of Refuge for the unborn and families. For Hubs of Love to be established in every city and town in the nation.

‘And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.’
~ Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

May God Bless you as you pray these 21 Days of Compassion and Mercy for the Unborn.