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Intention

To call us to personal transformation through God’s power and promises.

Scripture

“Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

– Ephesians 4:24

Reflection

One of Christianity’s most profound truths is that change is possible. This isn’t just surface-level change. It’s deep, fundamental, and transformational. This promise is initially for the individual but also extends to our entire society.

It is possible to develop a tender heart even if you are callous and insensitive.

You can overcome bitterness and anger.

You can become a loving person, regardless of your background.

The Bible insists that God is the decisive factor in shaping us into who we should be. With striking clarity, it states, “Put away… all malice” and be “tender-hearted” (Ephesians 4:31–32).

Notice it doesn’t say, “If you can…” or, “If your parents were tender-hearted…” or, “If you haven’t been terribly abused…”

Ephesians 4:32 simply states, “Be… tender-hearted.”

This is wonderfully liberating. It frees us from the dreadful fatalism that insists we can’t change. It releases us from hopeless, mechanistic views that maliciously desire to shackle our destiny to our past and keep us imprisoned in our sin.

God’s commands always convey liberating, life-changing truths to embrace. For instance:

God has adopted us as His children. We now have a new Father and a new family, which frees us from the fatalistic grip of our “family of origin.” As Jesus taught, “Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9).

God loves us as His dearly cherished children. Ephesians 5:1 teaches us to “Be imitators of God as loved children”. The command to imitate God’s love doesn’t float aimlessly but comes with promised power. The command is to “Love!” Being loved by God serves as the source of that power.

God has forgiven us in Christ. “Be tender-hearted and forgiving just as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). What God accomplished through Christ is powerful. It makes change possible. The command to be tender-hearted has far more to do with what God did for you than what your mother or your father did to you. This kind of command means you can change.

Christ loved you and gave himself up for you. The command in Ephesians 5:2 – “walk in love” – is coupled with the transformative truth – “Christ loved you.” You will have moments when you have the opportunity to love, but a voice whispers, “You’re not a loving person”. But respond, “Christ’s love for me makes me a new kind of person. His command to love is just as possible for me as His promise of love is true for me.”

Change is possible. Don’t be a fatalist. Be a Christian. God is alive. Christ is risen. The promises are true. What is true for the individual is true for the family. What holds for the family holds for the nation.

Our prayers can transform the nation. That is the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14. That’s why we are praying for our nation during this 21–day election period.

But let’s start with ourselves first.

Video

Prayer

Our great God and loving heavenly Father, we thank You for the ability to change with Your help. As born-again believers in Jesus, the Holy Spirit works powerfully in our lives to shape us more and more into the likeness of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

We ask that You continue that work in us until we see Jesus face to face in heaven, where no eye has seen and no ear has heard the things God has prepared for those who love Him.

Amen.

Author Bio

Peter Downie is the national director of FamilyVoice Australia, a Christian voice promoting true family values for the benefit of all Australians. Its vision is to see strong families at the heart of a healthy society where marriage is honoured, human life is respected, families can flourish, Australia’s Christian heritage is valued, and fundamental freedoms are enjoyed.

Prayer Points and Purpose for Turn the Tide 2025

1. A righteous government that upholds truth and Christian values. 1 Timothy 2:1–4

2. Wisdom for voters to perceive the true agenda of political parties. Proverbs 14:15

3. A church that disciples the nation in this window of grace. Matthew 28:18–20

We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for the 2025 federal election. 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.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: We invite you to register and participate in the National Day of Repentance on Easter Monday, 21 April (9 AM – 5 PM (AEST)). This event is an integral part of these 21 days of prayer and fasting. View the promotional video here. For more information and to register, click here.

Join us for our nightly Zoom prayer call:

DATES: Every night from Sunday, 13 April to Saturday, 3 May

TIME: 8 PM (AEST), 7:30 PM (SA & NT), 6 PM (WA).

ZOOM URL LINK: zoom.us/j/776881184

ZOOM TUTORIAL: youtube.com/watch?v=pAMDxH_H_Cs

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