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Intention

To give thanks and pray for those in authority so that all (including the unborn) may lead a quiet and peaceful life.

Scripture

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

for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

This is good, and it pleases God our Saviour,

who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

– 1 Timothy 2:1–4 (CSB)

Reflection

When we were pregnant with our first child, my wife went a day without feeling the usual kicks and movements of our baby. She also began to bleed. We were fearful. After ringing our midwife, she asked us to meet her at the hospital immediately.

It was a difficult and uncertain time. While driving to the hospital, I remember reaching over to place my hand on my wife’s stomach, hoping to feel the baby move.

Often, when I’d place my hand over the baby, the baby would respond with a kick or movement. There’s no doubt in my mind that the baby knew it was Dad. It was almost as if he (the baby turned out to be a boy) was trying to move closer to his daddy. (Turns out, my son is a bit of a daddy’s boy!)

Driving in the car to the hospital, I hoped that, somehow, the baby would move towards me. After a while, I felt the familiar movement! All turned out well, and some weeks later, we welcomed our son into the open world.

I’ll never forget that experience. It was undeniable to me that my son, still hidden from view, knew and responded individually to both his parents. He knew us. He knew our voices (my wife would sing to our baby, which, judging from the movements, he loved). He could even distinguish our hands.

None of this was surprising to me. From Scripture, I knew that John the Baptist leapt for joy at Jesus and His mother, Mary, at six months’ gestation (Luke 1:44). Jacob and Esau were in competition with each other while in the womb – a characteristic they maintained for much of their lives (Genesis 25:22–3).

Sometimes, our political leaders have views and make decisions about the unborn that are downright evil. These decisions often dehumanise them and deny their unique personalities – as our experience and Scripture above clearly testify.

I can find it easy to allow resentment against them and their decisions creep into my heart. There is a difference between knowing a decision is evil and allowing negative emotions to take hold of us.

Paul commands the former (discerning right from wrong). But he would have nothing of the latter.

He writes to Timothy that “thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority”. I must ask myself the question, Do I give thanks for all who are in authority? Yet this I must do, for everyone is an infinitely valuable human being made in His image (Genesis 1:26–28).

God’s love is such that “all” are included. Paul says this explicitly. We are to pray and give thanks for all because “God our Saviour… wants everyone to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:3–4). That’s why “Christ Jesus… gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5–6).

As we move through these 21 days, let us move closer to the heart of God, who loves all and generously gives good things to both the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45). From this position, close to the heart of God, we can pray for our leaders and the necessary changes that God wants to bring to them personally and to their unrighteous laws.

By praying from a heart in alignment with His we may find that, just as Roe v Wade was overturned, we will also see evil legislation repealed. Such an outcome would please “God our Saviour” because then even the unborn “may lead a tranquil and quiet life” safely in their mothers’ wombs, as our Creator intends.

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Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

We give You thanks for all people, and especially for all those who are in positions of authority. We repent of any bitterness and resentment that we have held onto, release this to You, and ask for Your healing of our hearts.

We ask for Your mercy and truth to flood over our leaders, bringing repentance, new birth by the Spirit, and renewed minds. We ask for the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit to convict of your mercy and truth, not only for those in authority but for countless millions in our society.

May Jesus be glorified in our nation so that the unborn can live peaceful lives.

We ask these things for Your glory,

Amen.

Author Bio

Samuel is the deputy editor at the Canberra Declaration and lives with his wife and three young children in South Australia. He is fascinated by the impact of worldview and enjoys exploring how Christian faith relates to every area of life. An emerging writer and journalist, he has a background in the biological and geological sciences, ministry, and theology.

Prayer Points and Purpose for 21 Days for Life 2025

1. That the Church unifies in prayer and advocacy for the unborn.

2. That Australians will vote according to the defence of LIFE in upcoming elections.

3. That the federal Babies Born Alive Bill be passed with no more delay.

4. That every church across Australia becomes a House of Refuge.

5. That walks for life to defend life in the womb flourish in every state and territory.