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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice.
~ Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)

Water is vital to life, and its value would have been deeply recognised by those who lived in the dry areas of ancient Israel. The hidden reservoir of a well or the trickling stream flowing from a spring would have been a precious lifeline from which they could quench their thirst and provide for their livestock.

Imagine a thirsty man, wearied from a day of work in the hot sun, coming to a spring or well for water. But when he gets to the spring, it’s full of mud and sludge. Or he arrives at the well only to find a dead animal floating in the bottom and putrifying the water. This tragic scene would not only be disappointing, but even dangerous. Contamination has negated the blessing that should have been flowing forth.

This is the picture Proverbs 25:26 paints:

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. (ESV)

A righteous man should be an incredible blessing. And yet, a righteous man who is compromised becomes useless or worse. And notice in this proverb that the warning is not about a righteous man who is personally doing evil acts (although scripture has much to say about such hypocrisy). The problem in this proverb is rather that the righteous man gives way to the wicked. He stands aside and lets them carry on. The righteous man himself becomes compromised because he was willing to leave wickedness unopposed.

When we consider some of the attacks on life in our culture, it is easy to give way. It’s easy to be quiet or to keep our head down, or to just mutter within our own safe circles. And it’s tempting to wash our hands. We didn’t do it. It was them. And yet, too often, the righteous stand silently by, giving way to the wicked.

Worship:

Prayer:

Father, we confess that we are weak and often shrink back when courage is needed. Forgive us for the times when we have failed to love our neighbour by standing for righteousness and truth. Thank You that those who trust in Christ are washed clean. We pray, too, that You would strengthen us by Your Spirit that we might grow in faithful witness.

And we pray particularly for those appointed to positions of authority or leadership in our state and nation, that those who know the truth would stand firm and speak up with courage. And we ask that in Your mercy, You would bless their work and use them to preserve life. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer Points:

Pray for those who have been entrusted with authority and leadership in our states and nation: For those who pursue wickedness, pray that they will repent. For those who support life, pray that they would have courage and conviction to persevere and not to give up, and that they would not give way before the wicked.

Pray for Christians as we face pressure on many issues to go along with our world or at least not to oppose it. Pray that we will have wisdom to speak with gentleness and clarity, but that we will never confuse moral compromise with humility.

~ Rev Peter Barnes, Evangelicals for Life Sydney

Extra 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.