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Open Windows is an open letter concerning the NSW Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024. The Act criminalises prayer for those who have sought help for unwanted same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria. Similar laws exist in Queensland, ACT, Victoria and SA. Concerned members of the Australian public can read and sign the letter here.

Intention

To call the Church to pray with bold and unwavering faithfulness to God, following the example of Daniel and Jesus.

Scripture

“So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, ‘May King Darius live forever. All the administrators of the kingdom—the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors—have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that, for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den. Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.’

“So King Darius signed the written edict.

“When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

– Daniel 6:6–10

Reflection

Pressure on prayer is nothing new.

Daniel, living in the pagan land of Babylon, made it his practice to spend time in prayer three times a day with his face toward Jerusalem (Psalm 5:7). Even in a far-off place, Daniel knew his God was in control and could hear him.

His opponents in the court thought that this was Daniel’s “Achilles’ heel.”  They knew a man who loved God like Daniel wouldn’t even consider a thirty-day pause on his prayers.

They also knew Daniel’s reputation. As a man who prayed with his windows open to Jerusalem, his prayers would have been public and very noticeable. How different would our country be if even our enemies considered that we had a “weakness for prayer”?

How did Daniel respond to the pressure from those above him in government? With bold and unwavering faithfulness to God.

Daniel could have shut his windows. He could have spent thirty days praying under his breath or in his head. But he openly defied the laws that would keep him from speaking to God. In disobeying the government, Daniel did the will of God.

Matthew Henry states, “We must not omit duty for fear of suffering, so, nor so much as seems to come short of it. In trying times, great stress is laid upon our confessing Christ before men (Matthew 10:32), and we must take heed lest, under pretence of discretion, we be found guilty of cowardice in the cause of God.”

In a time of renewed pressure on prayer and biblical speech, prayer is an act of defiance.

We must be prepared to join Daniel in disobedience. We must ignore our secular culture when it claims that prayer is merely empty words spoken into the air. We must defy our own sinful hearts when we feel fearful or frail in our prayers. And we must disobey those authorities who would prevent us from praying in a way that transforms lives.

By doing so, we join our Saviour and Lord, whose prayer life was well known to everyone. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus spent hours in prayer.

The spiritual powers and authorities watched with delight, believing they were on the brink of victory.

Even amidst pain and struggle, knowing He would soon face the wrath of God for sin on the cross, He confided in the Father through powerful prayer, and ultimately, God heard Him and raised Him to life.

Let’s join Him in such defiant prayer.

Video

Prayer

Almighty Father, You are the creator and sustainer of life. You formed this world with Your word and sent Your Son, our mighty King Jesus, to redeem it from the power of death.

The kings of the earth have set themselves against You and Your Christ. Help me to join You in laughter in the face of their rebellion, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit, so that I may consider their threats and respond with the life-giving word You have given me in the gospel.

Give me a “weakness for prayer” so I may be filled with a peace that surpasses understanding, and that You may receive all the glory in victory. In the name of the risen Saviour Jesus, amen.

Author Bio

Vaughan Smith is married to Allie and is the father of four growing kids. He serves as the pastor of Taree Presbyterian Church, where he has the privilege of preaching God’s Word, sharing the gospel, and discipling His people.

Vaughan aims to equip and embolden the Church to navigate modern culture, for the grace and glory of Jesus. He is the author of the Open Windows letter, which can be accessed and signed here.

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

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