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Intention

Why would God hear us and what do we pray?

Scripture

“Hear me as I pray O Lord. Be merciful and answer me.” – Psalm 27:7 (NLT)

Reflection

This verse was recently drawn to my attention and two thoughts came to me: Why would God hear us? And what do we pray?

In Psalm 27, David, the Psalmist, cries out to the Lord to answer his prayer. He saw his enemy bearing down on him. David’s eyes may have been more focussed on his enemy than on the Lord. He knew he did not deserve an answer from the Lord. After all, he was a sinner like all of us. He said he appealed to the Lord to be merciful, to be gracious and to answer him.

Why would God hear us? The truth is, we don’t deserve an answer to our prayers, but the Lord is merciful, and He gives us what we do not deserve.

In Hebrews 4:16, we read that we are to draw near to the throne of grace “that we may find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.” Yes, God hears us because of mercy and grace poured out on us as individuals, as a church and as a nation.

Now, what do we pray?

David said, “hear me as I pray”. What do I pray? Do I pray for Scott Morrison to be returned as Prime Minister? Has he failed us? Many feel he has. Do I give him another chance? What do I pray?

Do I pray for Anthony Albanese? Is he fit to lead if he is elected? Do I vote for the local Candidate, putting aside the party or the Prime Minister of my choice? In our electorate where Jan and I live, two of the candidates are well known to me and both of them are Christ-followers. How do I choose? How do I Pray?

Romans 8:26 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We don’t know what to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

My first thought would be that there are a few groans in heaven at this time over the state of our nation. So, at this crucial time of the federal election, do we know what to pray for? Whom to pray for?

In looking at this verse, Paul writes that we are so weak at times that we don’t know what to pray for. We feel the need to pray. We have a longing to pray. But what do we ask for? The Spirit steps in and leads, empowers us, and helps us in our praying.

At this point in time, I confess to being one of those undecided voters, but I am asking the Lord for His help, His guidance, His leading and direction. I love Australia. It’s the country of my birth. I love its people. I love its beauty. I want what is best for Australia at this time.

God lead me, God help me, God guide me. Yes, hear me as I pray O Lord. Be merciful and answer me. Give direction to me. Give direction to us all at this crucial time.

Recently I was involved in an interview for Vision Radio, and I was asked how we should pray at this time. My response was that we cannot go past the Lord’s prayer. “May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Video

Prayer

Father, we come to You in the name of Jesus.

You are a merciful God; you’re a gracious God. You are a prayer-answering God and we look back at many times in our journey when you answered prayer. And so, we pray for Australia at this critical time in our nation. We look to You.

Guide us in the decisions we make, so that we may respond in faith and obedience bringing honour and glory to You. Yes, Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, in Australia, at this time and let it be done through me.

Amen.

Author Bio

James is the Chairman of Australia Prays and the Chairman of Caloundra Queensland City Pastor’s network. Currently, he is working with other intercessors to establish a Prayer Mountain on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. James is the former Commissioner of The Salvation Army. James and his wife, Jan, have been internationally recognised for their work in the organisation. Among many other topics, Commissioner James has spoken out strongly on Modern Slavery in Australia and drug use in New South Wales.

21 Days Prayer Points

1. Pray that God would rule over this election, that righteous leaders would be elected to govern this nation in truth and justice because, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” Proverbs 29:2
2. Pray God’s blessing upon all our current parliamentarians and leaders, including their families and all the candidates of all the parties standing for this federal election. 1 Timothy 2:1-3
3. Pray for a multiplication of prayer and unity across the Body of Christ in Australia, that people will wake up to the dangers facing our nation and respond in prayer. Ephesians 5:14
4. Pray for a Revival for Australia, Spiritual Awakening and Transformation for our nation, and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:16

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