Raising a Gideon’s Army in Parliament: Day 3
Intention
To overcome fear when we feel outnumbered by focusing on God’s divine strategy.
Scripture
“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and give the Midianites into your hands.’”
– Judges 7:7
Reflection
The Bible provides plenty of encouragement about how God can do a lot with a little.
Whenever I feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task of pushing back against the cultural darkness with our team at the Australian Christian Lobby, I reflect on stories like Moses, Gideon, and Joshua, whom God led to mighty victory.
Our concern leading up to the election has been the possibility of a Greens minority government, considering their anti-Christian policies.
However, in prayer, I felt encouraged that God had a different kind of minority government in mind. This was a parliament with a faithful minority of Christians positioned to push back the darkness.
This gave me hope that regardless of which government we end up with, God can work through a godly minority. He transformed two fish and five loaves into thousands of fish and loaves. He granted Gideon’s army of 300 a mighty victory over the Midianites.
There are some parallels we can draw between Christians today and the situation of the Israelites under Midianite occupation. The Midianites were oppressive towards the Israelites, causing them to hide in caves.
This is happening in the legal sphere right now. Laws are being enacted that have a chilling effect on Christians’ freedom to speak, pray, and teach according to biblical theology. The laws are oppressive.
God heard the Israelites when they cried out and reminded them that He is the one who delivered them from their oppressors in the past and that He can do it again.
The Israelites likely felt emboldened, thinking they could defeat the Midianites with their army of 32,000 men, but God whittled it down – first to 10,000, and then to just 300.
Politics revolves around numbers: the number of votes and the number of seats. However, God perceives numbers differently. Political power is insignificant compared to His might, and the count of votes and seats cannot compete with God’s strategic placements.
God provided Gideon with a strategy – divide the 300 into three groups, surround the camp, and at the right moment, have the 300 shatter jars, raise torches, blow trumpets, and shout, “A sword for the Lord, and for Gideon!”. As the trumpets sounded, the Midianites, in their confusion, turned on each other with their swords and then fled. The victory belonged to the Israelites.
As we approach the federal election, let us remember that He holds the nations in His hand and provides the strategy for victory. That triumph is not through our strength or numbers but by His will and power.
Video
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done in this federal election. We thank You for raising up a Gideon’s army, a minority of godly and steadfast Christians who will win seats at this federal election and be a pervasive influence in turning the cultural tide in our nation.
We thank You that in You, we have nothing to fear. We stand firm in our faith, knowing that You are high above it all.
We pray that nothing will stand against those You have ordained to take their place in federal parliament. We pray that You fill them with courage and boldness to fulfil the mandate that You have for each one of them.
We thank You for godly and divine strategies that will overcome the work of darkness in our nation and that You will set the oppressed free.
In the powerful name of Jesus,
Amen.
Author Bio
Michelle Pearce has been the CEO of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) since 2023. ACL strategically lobbies law and policymakers around Australia to ensure that Christian values influence the way Australians are governed and conduct business. As a dynamic leader and speaker, she is passionate about changing culture and transforming society through the truth of the gospel.
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.
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DATES: Every night from Sunday, 13 April to Saturday, 3 May
TIME: 8 PM (AEST), 7:30 PM (SA & NT), 6 PM (WA).
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Amen let it be so
we are believing with you and the group that God Almighty is going to do great and mighty exploits through the prayers of the people. That we through prayer are taking this country back for Jesus. Once again it will be known as the great land of the Holy Spirit. Blessings upon blessings to you all
This is such a timely message! I think many can feel overwhelmed by the ‘odds’ stacked against Christians in this hour, humanly speaking.BUT GOD…
Thank you so much, Michelle, for reminding us to never give up and to keep praying for righteous leaders in the Parliament.
Michelle – you have expressed exactly why I am running for Casey for Family First – with very little chance of winning the seat myself, I take this stand to support Family First’s bids in the senate with strong senate candidates in most states and particulalrly Lyle Shelton in NSW and Bernie Finn and Jane Foreman here in Victoria. If by some miracle I was elected into the House of Reps, I am totally commited to Family First’s policies that bring faith based focus on families. May our prayers be heard by our loving and wise God!
Phillippians 2:13 “because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.” Thank you for the stand you’re taking for God, we are co-laboring with him for His glory.