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by Michelle Oates

“Rejoice always and delight in your faith;
be unceasing and persistent in prayer;
in every situation (no matter what the circumstances),
be thankful and continually give thanks to God;
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (AMP)

When our hearts are heavy with intense issues such as life, death, abortion, etc, it may seem hard to praise God for who He is and what He’s done. However, it is a key foundation when we pray.

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray in Matthew 6, He started by saying: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.” (‘hallowed’ meaning: holy, consecrated, sacred, greatly revered, etc.)

There are not many things in life that we can truly say: “This IS God’s will for me!” – but continually being thankful to the Lord and praising Him is one of them. It helps remove shame, condemnation, hopelessness, and aids us to pray with grace and truth for ourselves and others.

Here are some ways that this discipline can completely change our time in prayer:

1. It upholds the truth and grace of God: For out of His fullness (the superabundance of His grace and truth), we have all received grace upon grace (spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favour upon favour, and gift heaped upon gift)” John 1:16 (AMP). When we remember His reliable grace, faithfulness and goodness of the past, it strengthens our trust in His future grace, faithfulness and goodness.

2. Focusing on Him renews our hope, stills our busy hearts and minds, and calms our anxieties: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7

3. It is a safeguard and protects us. “Finally, my fellow believers, continue to rejoice and delight in the LORD. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.” ~ Philippians 3:1 (AMP)

4. It is right to praise Him! “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.” ~ Psalm 145:3

5. It emboldens our prayers: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” ~ Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Our thankfulness to God for who He is, and what He has already done, provides a wonderful foundation for all the prayers we will yet pray.

As this song says: “Praise the Lord, His mercy is more. Stronger than darkness, new every morn. Our sins they are many, His mercy is more!”

Worship

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your grace, and truth that sets us free.
Thank You for Your faithfulness, forgiveness and love.
May we love You more each day,
and be useful instruments in Your hands
to bring grace and truth to our hurting world.
Please meet with us in these days of prayer and fasting.
Grant us humble, repentant, obedient hearts that love You,
and are ready to listen to what You are saying.
We ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer points

• Praise the Lord for the marvellous gift of life!
• Praise God, that He is worthy of all thanks and praise, and for the promise of eternity with Him in Heaven.
• Pray we will learn more deeply how to value all human life: in our churches, neighbourhoods, cities, and across the nation.
• Pray for healing for those who have been affected by abortion.
• Pray for unity amongst all pro-life volunteers and leaders in our nation.
• Pray for this year’s Walk for Life.

Author: Michelle Oates

Michelle Oates has spent the past few years volunteering behind the scenes with various pro-life leaders, organisations, public figures, and members of parliament. Her goal has been to support leaders, and network them with each other for unity, and collaboration.

Further Prayer Points

• Pray that the Spirit of Truth goes forth to persuade and convince people that abortion is unthinkable in Australia.
• That Jesus’s body be in unity as one (John 17:21) and be in prayer and advocate for Life for the Unborn. That Jesus’s disciples be activated in their unique spheres of influence speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.
• Pray that in all the upcoming elections that Australians will vote according to Life. That State and Federal political leaders who have stopped their parties from bringing forth any discussion or bills about abortion, repent and that this ban be lifted. That the Babies Born Alive (Human Rights — Children Born Alive Protection Bill 2021) tabled in the Australian Federal Parliament to be passed with no more delay, so that in every state and territory in Australia where babies have been born alive after a failed abortion, that they will receive proper medical care and legal protection.
• That every church be a trusted place of mercy and compassion — to discern and discover those who find themselves in an unplanned/crisis pregnancy. To be an effective House of Refuge for the unborn and their families. For Hubs of Love to be established in every city and town in the nation.
• That women in crisis phone the compassionate and confidential Pregnancy Help Australia or visit a life-affirming pregnancy centre — not go to a pro-abortion doctor or clinic for advice.
• We pray for every state and territory of Australia to arise in the cause of defending life in the womb from the tragedy of abortion and come together to walk for life. A blessing on the “Walk for Life Adelaide” on 8 February 2025 and “March for Life” Brisbane — date TBA, Mackay “March for the Babies” in October, “March for the Babies” Melbourne, Perth’s Rally for Life in May, and for all Territories and States to join in and hold a Walk for Life in their city/region.
• Pray for Love Adelaide’s Walk for Life 2025 on 8^th February from 10am-12pm to grow in momentum and fruitfulness. Pray for effective doors of favour to open, health and strength for the leaders, speakers and volunteers, for finances, safety and perfect weather.