Day 12: Prayer to Our Father
Intention
To pray for God’s will for the unborn to be done on earth.
Scripture
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’”
– Matthew 6:9
Reflection
The Christian’s job is to bring heaven to earth, not to get out of earth to heaven. The devil’s desire is to bring hell to earth. He often gets away with this by deceiving Christians to be so heavenly minded they are of little earthly good.
Bringing women to the point where they are coerced or feel there is no other choice but to kill their unborn baby is the bringing of hell to earth. Death and despair are the fruits of hell, not of or befitting of a world that God loves and he owns. Abortion is the greatest social justice issue of our time, but sadly one about which the Church is most silent.
Many Christians, once they have accepted Jesus, look forward to heaven when they die. The problems of this world seem overwhelming, and in some ways this is understandable. But when the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, he didn’t say pray for more souls to populate heaven. He told them to pray that the things on this world be made right. There’s no greater issue that needs to be made right than the issue of abortion.
The prayer above, commonly known as the Lord’s prayer, is a prayer for this world. It’s a prayer for daily life, and all that living our lives practically in this world entails. It is a cry for God’s justice to come to where we are — now.
We start by worshipping God and revering his name. We recognise our own need for forgiveness and the need to forgive others. But the heart of this prayer is “your kingdom come”.
Video
Prayer
Our Father, you know that like the blood of Abel, the blood of innocent children cries to you daily. The anguish of mothers forced, coerced or deceived rises to you.
We know none of this is your will for this world and the people you love.
Let your kingdom come, let your will be done in parliaments, hospitals, clinics and homes where decisions to choose death are made. May those decisions turn into ones that honour your will for life and bring your will, your kingdom to earth. Amen.
Author Bio
Lyle Shelton is National Director of the Family First Party. In 2007 he moved to Canberra to join the Australian Christian Lobby, becoming Managing Director in 2013. He was a director and spokesman for the Coalition for Marriage during the 2017 plebiscite campaign which saw the meaning of marriage change. Since 2018 he has worked in minor party politics, seeking to have candidates with Christian and family values elected to parliaments.
Prayer Points for 21 Days for Life 2026
- The Holy Spirit to transform our culture so that the shedding of this innocent blood becomes unthinkable in Australia. (Micah 6:7–8)
- The Church be one, praying and advocating for the unborn. (John 17:21)
- Each church across Australia to become a trusted place of mercy and redemption, so that anyone experiencing an unexpected pregnancy or who has been wounded by abortion will find help, hope and healing. For every church to be an effective House of Refuge for the unborn and their families, and Hubs of Love to be established in every city and town in the nation. (Hebrews 4:16)
- Those considering or wounded by abortion to receive compassionate and confidential care by contacting Pregnancy Help Australia or visiting a life-affirming pregnancy centre. (Exodus 15:26)
- Walks for life to flourish in every state and territory as a public witness. (Matthew 5:14–16)
- Australians to vote for and elect bold MPs who’ll stand for and champion the sanctity of life. (Psalm 139:13–16)
Sign up to receive daily devotions during these 21 days of prayer and fasting in your inbox and find extra info, including promotional resources, here.
Pray With Us On Zoom During These 21 Days
DAYS: Every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday night from 18 January – 7 February 2026
TIME: 8 pm AEDT; 7:30 pm SA; 7 pm QLD; 6:30 pm NT; 5 pm WA
ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/
View all Prayer for Life 2026 Devotionals
Daily devotions are brought to you by Love Australia in conjunction with the Canberra Declaration.
Image via Adobe.
2 Comments
Leave A Comment
Recent Articles:
3 June 2026
3.2 MINS
When Moses asked to see God's glory, God offered something better — not an overwhelming spectacle, but a name, a character, and a person to trust.
29 May 2026
1.2 MINS
A bill to prohibit sex-selective abortion will shortly come before the New South Wales Parliament. Archbishop Kanishka Raffel urges the government to support it without hesitation.
28 May 2026
2.8 MINS
A 13-year-old Colorado student's pro-life slam poem was silenced by her teacher — but millions online are making sure her voice is heard.
28 May 2026
4.1 MINS
Fifty-eight years since the Abortion Act, Britain has quietly broken records for the number of lives ended before birth — with no end in sight.
26 May 2026
2.5 MINS
Nora didn't expect to find joy in palliative care. Five years on, she says sitting with the dying has given her the greatest gift of all: learning how to truly live.
24 May 2026
3.7 MINS
God is doing a new thing, so we must roll up our sleeves, put our hands to the plough and get involved.
23 May 2026
3.7 MINS
Today is the National Day of Prayer. The theme from Joshua 3:5 is to consecrate ourselves. And contained within the verse is a remarkable promise: “for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.”
‘The Christian’s job is to bring heaven to earth, not to get out of earth to heaven.’ So true Lyle, but so often neglected in the teaching of most Australian churches. Thanks for your excellent reminder about this important responsibility given to Christians by none other than Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
A beautiful heart felt truth Lyle 💓
And a beautiful piece of music to accompany the writing. God bless you.