
First Things First: Day 31
Intention
To answer the call to be about our Father’s business.
Scripture
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.’”
– Mark 16:15–18
Reflection
“Can I pray for you?”, I asked, as God’s compassion welled up inside of me. Jono had just told me that his medical diagnosis was not good. His body was rejecting his new kidney after his third kidney transplant.
I told Jono that I needed spiritual back up from my wife, a ‘giant in the faith’, for such an important prayer. Jono doesn’t go to church, but he smiled and nodded approvingly. My wife and I were working out at our local gym, so I called her away from the weights she was lifting.
I asked Jono to take my hand and then Alison to place her hand on his hand and together we prayed for a miracle for Jono in Jesus’ name. His eyes welled up with tears as did mine. People at the gym must have wondered what was happening, but none of us cared. Heaven’s business was taking precedent.
You see, we all must be about our Father’s business. But what exactly is that? Jesus answered this question very clearly in Mark 16:15–18 when he said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Paul the Apostle put it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:20, writing, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
Like you, throughout this month of October, I have been renewing my zeal and passion for the gospel. Inspired by our dear brother Michael Harvey, I’ve been praying the following simple prayer each day: “Lord, today, is there someone you want me to connect with outside the Church?”
It is amazing when you pray that prayer how God provides the opportunities. Soli Deo Gloria!
There are many Jono’s out there waiting for the people of God to be activated and about their Father’s business of being an ambassador of Christ to the lost and the lonely.
Michael Harvey’s recent blog post called “Activating Sleeper Agents: Wake Up, O Sleeper” cuts right to the challenge.
“If you’ve ever hit the snooze button one too many times, congratulations — you already understand the spiritual state of much of the Church. There’s an awakening happening, but some of us are still rolling over, mumbling, ‘Five more minutes, Lord…’
The truth? Many believers are like Kingdom sleeper agents — fully equipped, divinely trained, but currently undercover in ‘comfort mode’. We’ve got heaven’s assignment, but the alarm’s been going off since Pentecost and we’re still fumbling for the off switch.
God is calling his people to wake up — not just to believe, but to move.
Mission isn’t a spiritual side hustle for the ultra-zealous; it’s the everyday work of ordinary people who realise they’ve been carrying divine purpose all along. You don’t need a passport or pulpit — just the courage to step into what God’s already doing in your workplace, school, or neighbourhood.
When we awaken, we stop waiting for revival — we become the revival.
And yes, that means less complaining about the world falling apart and more realising: maybe God sent you as the glue.
This is the heart of Christian mission: not recruitment, but activation.
He’s not looking for perfect people in matching t-shirts — he’s looking for those willing to say, “Here I am, Lord… and I’ve had my coffee.”
The world doesn’t need more noise — it needs awakened hearts.
Every time you say yes to God’s whisper, another sleeper agent rubs their eyes, sits up, and joins the movement.
So stretch, grab your spiritual caffeine, and step into the light.
Wake up, O sleeper — your mission has already begun.”
Video
Prayer
Father in heaven,
Help me rub the sleep from my eyes, be awake and activated to my calling as an ambassador for Christ. Help me put first things first and take the good news of Jesus to my friends, neighbours and enemies. In Jesus’ name, amen!
IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
On behalf of Kym Farnik, Kurt Mahlburg and myself and the whole Canberra Declaration team, we want to thank you for your partnership in prayer. Join us tonight on Zoom if you are able.
We greatly appreciate your incredible support over the last 31 days of prayer and fasting for the Church and the release of the gospel in our nation.
James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Soli Deo Gloria!
Much love,
Warwick Marsh
Author Bio
Warwick Marsh has been married to Alison since 1975, and they have five children and ten grandchildren. He is a family and faith advocate, social reformer, musician, TV producer, writer and public speaker. Warwick is well known in Australia for his advocacy for prayer, children, marriage, manhood, family, fatherhood and faith.
Prayer Points for October 2025
- God to pour out his blessing and Spirit on every church in Australia and its leaders. Hebrews 13:7
- All churches in Australia to grow in Christlikeness and win people to Christ. Acts 6:7
- Widespread adoption of Reaching Australia 2033 and its plan to activate every believer in personal evangelism. Acts 1:8
- Revival for Australia and for millions to come to Christ. Isaiah 64:1–2
We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to faith in 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.
Sign up to receive daily devotions during October in your inbox (and find extra info) here.
Join us for the official launch of Reaching Australia 2033:
DATE: Friday, 31 October
TIME: 8 pm AEDT; 7:30 pm SA; 7 pm QLD; 6:30 pm NT; 5 pm WA
ZOOM URL LINK: zoom.us/j/776881184
ZOOM TUTORIAL: youtube.com/watch?v=pAMDxH_H_Cs
View all Prayer for the Church October 2025 devotionals
Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.
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Photo via Adobe.
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Warwick, your devotional reminds me of Ed Silvoso’s exhortation to “prayer evangelism “ and One of Tim Storey’s gems: “There are people waiting on the other side of your obedience!” And for sure, there are.
Warwick, you saved the best for last!
I love the line, “I called her away from the weights she was lifting”. What a privilege to pray and work with all the giants of the faith at Canberra Declaration. Bless you all.
I would like to find Michael Harvey’s blog post you quoted, but have been unable to. Would you share a link to the post? Thank you.
We must work the works of him that sent us while it is day for the night cometh when no man can work Jn 9:4-5. Lord help us all.