Day 5: A Vision for the Perishing
Intention
To grow in vision and passion for perishing sinners.
Scripture
“He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
– 2 Peter 3:9
Reflection
William Booth is famously known as the founder of the Salvation Army. After coming home late one night in 1865, he burst through the door of his Hammersmith home and explained, “Darling, I have found my destiny. I have been walking through the slums of the East End of London.”
That glimpse of hell on earth became his vision. In an article he wrote in 1906 about his vision, he says,
“I saw a dark and stormy ocean. In that ocean, I thought I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning.”
“And as they cursed and screamed, they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more.”
“I saw out of this dark angry ocean a mighty rock that rose up to its summit, towering high above the black clouds above the stormy sea.”
“And all around the base of this great rock, I saw a vast platform. And on this platform, I saw with delight many poor, struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean.”
“And I saw that those who were already safe on that platform were helping those trapped by the angry waters to reach the place of safety.”
I asked God to give us a modern-day vision, a burden for the people drowning in sin. Give me a vision, a burden for those caught in youth crime, domestic violence, grief and loss with no hope, homelessness, indifference towards God, and so much more.
Yes Lord, give me a vision. Give me a burden. Help me to do my part in reaching the lost and drowning with the lifeline of God’s redeeming grace and mercy.
Lord, may the words of this hymn be those of my heart:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
Video
Prayer
God who has rescued me, help me by Your grace, empowered by Your Holy Spirit, to throw the lifeline to others who are drowning in sin and shame.
Thank You, God, that You don’t want anyone to perish. May I play my part in Your great rescue plan for this world that You so loved that You gave Your only Son.
Yes, help me to pray for those who are perishing, and help me not just to pray, but to act by throwing out the lifeline.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Video: James Condon on Being Still at the National Day of Prayer 2024
Author Bio
James Condon is the Chairman of Australia Prays, the Chairman of last year’s WPA in Perth and the Chairman of Caloundra Queensland City Pastor’s network. He is working with other intercessors to establish a prayer mountain on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. James is the former Commissioner of the Salvation Army.
Prayer Points and Purpose for GO Month 2024
- To worship Jesus and give extravagant praise to God. 1 Chron 16:23–31.
- To pray for revival, repentance and deliverance for Australia and for millions to find Christ. Acts 2:1–41.
- To pray for five people by name to find Christ and share the gospel with those five in May. Matt 28:18–20.
We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to Christ. 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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