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Focus

Three Days of 24/7 Prayer in May

Join us on Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/776881184 anytime from 8 PM Friday 24 May to 9 PM Monday 27 May (AEST).

Intention

To fervently pray that God will use us to share the good news with others.

Scripture

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples.”

– Psalm 105:1

Reflection

Prayer and sharing the good news go hand in hand. Many Christians seek to be used by God to lead people to faith in Jesus Christ.

But the Bible tells us that such is never likely to happen unless we pray. If there was ever a person who could have relied on his knowledge of the truth, the power and effectiveness of the spoken word, it was the great Apostle Paul. But such was not the case. Paul knew that prayer was the key.

If people’s lives are to change then the Holy Spirit, the great evangelist, must be involved. He is the one who creates the opportunities for us to share our faith, and to put the words that challenge hearts into our mouths.

In Colossians 4:3 he writes, “Pray for us, that God may open a door for the word to make clear the mystery of Christ”. In Ephesians 6:19 he says, “Pray for me, that words may be given to me to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.”

If we wish to be more effective in sharing our faith, then we must be more effective in applying the power of prayer. Prayer must be the preparation that precedes our evangelistic endeavours.

Prayer is fundamental to sharing the good news. By centralising prayer, we acknowledge that only God can save lives – not us. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet is commanded to proclaim the promises of God to the dry bones, but Ezekiel is also commanded to pray to the wind—the Spirit. The latter is commanded so that the bones can indeed live.

Prayer is both a form of and a tool to support evangelism. Many of the great evangelists had a team alongside them who prayed before and during their meetings for the salvation of souls. By having these teams, the great evangelists acknowledged it was not their efforts alone that brought sinners to salvation. The real work is done by the Holy Spirit empowered by the prayers of the saints.

Many have come to Christ through a dream or vision, without direct human communication of the gospel. However, even here, this person often had someone praying for them. And usually, in the dream, the Lord directs the person to a man or woman to go and see. This is the sovereign work of God in response to the prayers of God’s people for the lost of this world.

So today, let’s do more than hope. Let’s begin to fervently pray. And let’s ask God to use each one of us to present the message of the gospel boldly and clearly. When God divinely orchestrates these conversations, they often end with someone repenting of their sins and placing their trust in Jesus Christ.

Video

Prayer

Dear Lord,

I want to share the gospel and make disciples of all nations. But too often I allow fear to stop me, and I become focused on my own shortcomings. Remind me that it is not an eloquent speaker that You seek. It is simply obedience from a heart that loves Christ and has experienced Your grace.

Thank You for granting me Your grace and saving me through Your Son. As I share the gospel with others, may Your Holy Spirit empower me with boldness and courage. Keep me from shrinking back in fear and help me to rely on Your Holy Spirit.

Help me to place my confidence in You, knowing that You are with me. Help me not forget that You are the one who saves. Remind me that the power to change a heart and take it from death to life is in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Author Bio

Brian Pickering is the National Coordinator of the Australian Prayer Network, Australia’s largest prayer network of around 7000 members from all Christian denominations. One of the main aims of the APN is to see spiritual renewal and revival of the Church, and spiritual and social transformation of the nation.

Prayer Points and Purpose for GO Month 2024

1. To worship Jesus and give extravagant praise to God. 1 Chron 16:23–31.
2. To pray for revival, repentance and deliverance for Australia and for millions to find Christ. Acts 2:1–41.
3. 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.

Join us for our nightly Zoom prayer call:

DATES: Every night in May

TIME: 8 PM (AEST); 7:30 PM (ACST); 6 PM (AWST)

ZOOM URL LINK: https://zoom.us/j/776881184

Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.

View GO Month 2024 devotionals on the Daily Declaration website.

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