Australia’s Largest Christian News Site

Intention

To stand against the spirit of intimidation and suffocation over our land so that the Church is free to boldly declare the Word of the Lord.

Scripture

“He said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man. Say to it: This is what the Lord God says: Breath, come from the four winds and breathe into these slain so that they may live.’

“So I prophesied as he commanded me; the breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, a vast army.”

– Ezekiel 37:9–10

Reflection

While praying for Australia, I saw what looked like a net cast over the land.

It looked like a strong net of large ropes.

As I continued to pray, I saw it was not a net, but a large piece of plastic with a net painted on it.

The plastic sides were stuck down, but as I began to pray, the edges seemed to pull away slightly.

As I prayed about the net, I realised that this plastic sheet was blanketing the nation and, in particular, suffocating the people of God.

It left us breathless, hindering our ability to rise and assert the authority that God has bestowed upon us.

It was silencing the people of God and preventing the Word of God from being heard throughout the nation.

I saw it was restricting the people of God and the numerous new movements throughout the body of Christ that the Lord has initiated in this new era.

I also saw that a spirit of intimidation was preventing us from rising up as the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit and taking our place as a nation called to host revival.

Other prophetic voices have also confirmed the influence of this spirit of intimidation. On a collective call about this national prayer time, Margaret Court spoke of a Haman-type spirit operating to intimidate the people of God.

Lana Vawser had also prophesied, “Many have been intimidated out of the media space, and I am calling you into a divine takeback and mighty increase.”

As I kept praying, I noticed beneath the plastic what appeared to be a group of runners crouched down as if they were at starting blocks. They were all huddled together like runners ready to begin a marathon.

They wore white, old-fashioned clothing, reminiscent of Eric Liddell and the athletes from the film Chariots of Fire, which features him. They moved up and down in rhythm, preparing themselves, but struggled and were unable to catch their breath. They could not break through the plastic and start running.

The Lord said these were the ‘righteous runners’ of the kingdom.

I was reminded of the Scripture in Ezekiel 37 of dry bones coming together as an army.

I felt that our prayers so far have successfully united the Church into a body ready to run the race. However, His body is still unable to draw enough breath needed to begin.

I reflected again on the sight, from above the plastic sheet, of the runners moving rhythmically up and down. I took this to mean the heart of Australia was starting to beat.

I realised this team of runners needed more numbers, more breath, and more strength to fully break through this veil of intimidation. Only then could they start to run their race vigorously and reignite the heart of the nation to beat and live again.

I believe it is important to continue to pray against the spirit of intimidation that has been released against the body of Christ in the nation, especially those in media and Christian politicians who are being called to stand up and have their voice heard in this election.

I also believe the Lord is calling us to prophecy again and decree more breath and strength for these ‘righteous runners’ so that they can stand up, break out of the smothering containment, and begin to run.

God’s supernatural grace is completely sufficient to enable the people of God to stand up as overcomers and release His Word, mission and plans across the earth.

Let us pray and decree His wonderful provision, knowing it will crush the spirit of intimidation and cause God’s army to arise and come alive.

Video

Prayer

Jesus, we plead the power of your blood over our sins and the sins of our nation.

Lord, in your grace, release us from all the power of the enemy and send revival to Australia.

We agree together and decree that the spirit of intimidation and suffocation over our land is broken, and we are set free to stand and declare the Word of the Lord across this nation.

Come, O breath, from the four winds blow! Breathe life again into the body of Christ in Australia! Cause us to rise into fullness of strength and run our race, breaking through all structures that are containing us and releasing us into fullness of life in Christ!

Author Bio

Cheryl Lindley is passionate about loving God, hosting revival, and helping the body of Christ live the kingdom of God here on earth. With her husband, Bruce, they lead the Australian Apostolic Restore Community (AARC) that hosts conferences and international speakers and mission trips, and provides a network for apostolic ministries.

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.

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

View Turn the Tide: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting Devotionals

___

Photo via Adobe.