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Intention

To awaken the Australian Church to make prayer a priority above everything else.

Scripture

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.”

– 1 Timothy 2:1

Reflection

God’s call to the Church today is found in Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:1.

Please stop, think, and reflect on these three words in the opening verse of 1 Timothy 2 — “first of all”.

Paul is emphasising what is of primary importance in the life of the church. Before discussing leadership, teaching, and church order in the following chapters, he begins with prayer.

Paul is saying: before anything else, make sure prayer is central. With our theme in October this year — Awaken — may I urge the Church in Australia to awaken to, first of all, prayer.

This is a significant call from God to the Church today.

Why do I say this? Because of what I read in the verses that follow.

We are to awaken to prayer:

• For all people (1 Timothy 2:1).
• For kings and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
• For all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3–4).

Paul emphasises that a healthy church is a praying church. Pastors, deacons, and church order all matter (and Paul will discuss these in 1 Timothy 3:1–13) — but prayer comes first.

A simple paraphrase would be: Above all else, make prayer a priority.

This fits well with the broader New Testament emphasis on prayer, such as:

• Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• Continue steadfastly in prayer (Colossians 4:2).
• Devote yourselves to prayer (Acts 6:4).

I recently had the privilege of attending a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) prayer gathering here on the Sunshine Coast.

There were about 70 young people from many nations praying together for the Sunshine Coast.

Before the gathering began, I was involved in a time of prayer with the leaders of the night.

The main leader asked us to pray for three things:

1. Pray against unbelief, as the Scripture in Hebrews 11:6 reminds us: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
2. Pray against distraction.
3. Pray without comparison and seek unity.

I felt this was a great lead-in to a night where we responded to Paul’s urging in 1 Timothy 2:1 — “first of all”.

Video

Prayer

God who has revealed your salvation plan in Scripture, awaken your Church to your desire for all to be saved.

Help us to make prayer central. Urge us to pray. Teach us to pray. Strengthen us to pray.

In these days of increasing darkness, may we wrestle in prayer, finding our strength in the Lord.

May your Church in Australia see significant breakthroughs. 

Awaken your Church. Build your Church. Unite your Church.

I pray this prayer with a deep sense of thankfulness.

In the name that is above every name, Jesus.

Amen.

Author Bio

James Condon is the Chairman of Australia Prays and the Chairman of Caloundra Queensland City Pastor’s network. He was also the Chairman of 2023’s WPA in Perth. James is working with other intercessors to establish a prayer mountain on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He is the former Commissioner of the Salvation Army.

Prayer Points for October 2026

We are praying for the Church to:

1. Awaken to her first love for Jesus (Ephesians 5:14; Revelation 2:4).
2. Awaken to evangelism so that millions will trust in Christ (John 3:16; Proverbs 11:30).
3. Awaken to her prophetic voice to the nation (Isaiah 52:1; Matthew 14:4).

We invite you to support this 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 Our Nightly Zoom Prayer Call:

DATES: Every night from Thursday, 1 October to Saturday, 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 October 2026 Awaken devotionals

Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.

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