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Intention

To be ignited with Christ’s love so fiercely that we cannot remain silent as souls rush headlong into eternity without Him.

Scripture

“The love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.”

– 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

Reflection

There’s a growing sense amongst Australians (and indeed many around the world) that all is not well in our societies. Something is amiss.

That something is the West’s abandonment of Christianity.

Scripture clearly states that “righteousness upholds a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

Former Prime Minister John Howard said in 2007, “Christianity has been an enormous force for good. And has done more than anything else to shape the character of our nation.”

It is inevitable that if Christianity continues to decline, so will “the character of our nation.”

The solution is obvious. If we wish to reclaim Australia’s Christian character, we must reclaim Christianity.

I am astonished, but mightily encouraged, at the number of non-Christians who are now suspecting just that. I can only mention two.

Joe Rogan, the world’s most popular podcaster, is one of them. Last year, after discussing the immense problems plaguing the USA, Rogan blurted out, “We need Jesus. I think for real.”

Another is political commentator Andrew Bolt. He recently said, “The more free and democratic societies that we have, where rights are most respected, as you can tell, are essentially Christian societies, or at least founded by Christians. That’s not a coincidence.”

“And that’s, of course, one reason I worry about the frantic attacks on Christianity in the West.”

I am convinced the Church has an opportunity that hasn’t existed in the past few decades.

People are beginning to join the dots.

The secular agenda asserted that if only humans put their intelligent minds to things, we could solve nearly all our problems. We don’t need God, and certainly don’t require the Church with all its issues and scandals.

The secular mindset asserts that when humans behave badly, the solution is ‘education’. People are not the problem. The problem is the environment we are raised in. Humans are good creatures. Aren’t they?

But the secular agenda has failed to live up to its promises.

Crime, family breakdowns, broken relationships, depression, anxiety, and a host of other issues continue to increase.

Politicians’ promises to make a change for the better seem emptier by the day.

The idea that human cleverness will solve our problems appears ridiculous in a society more divorced from reality than ever.

Not surprisingly, Australians are increasingly pessimistic about the country’s direction.

This leads me to my main point. The most important people in this country are not newly elected political parties or the Prime Minister, as crucial as their decision-making will be.

The most important people in this country are you and I.

Jesus Christ is the only hope for Australia. Jesus is the only One who can change the human heart. That’s undeniable.

But who has Jesus commissioned to work through to reach a dying, sinful world?

Us. The Church (Matthew 28:18–20).

There’s no plan B.

During the Great Awakenings in previous centuries, God used the John Wesleys, George Whitefields and countless ‘ordinary’ believers to reach the masses. God has always worked through people. That’s why the Church is so important.

We can pray for revival. We must.

But unless we are willing to become the answer to our own prayers, our prayers are pointless.

Australia will largely stand or fall depending on the condition and response of the Church.

Christ’s love for Paul transformed him from a man who delighted in persecuting Christians to one who suffered immensely for his compulsion to tell others the gospel.

This GO Month, we are praying for an “extravagant love for God and people.”

God is calling us to a deeper love – one that burns for the lost. One that weeps over those on their way to hell. One that moves us beyond church attendance and into gospel urgency.

That love “compels us” because Jesus “died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

If Christ’s love dramatically transforms the Church, Australia’s transformation could be next.

But that prayer starts with each of us.

If we cannot say that Christ’s love for sinners compels us, it’s time to get on our knees and cry out in believing prayer until it is answered.

Video

Prayer

Dear loving Heavenly Father,

As Leeland sings, “this is an emergency”.

Pour out Your love into the Church, so that it becomes extravagantly in love with You and those around us.

I invite you to examine my heart. Please reveal those areas that I am holding back from You and are yet to be conquered by Christ’s love.

Reveal Your immense, infinite love for me, so that, like Paul, no sacrifice for the good of others is too much.

Give me a love for perishing sinners, so that love compels me to share the good news of Jesus with them. Knowing this is Your will for me, may I never give up praying this prayer until it is answered.

Amen.

Author Bio

Samuel 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 for GO Month to Pentecost 2025

1. Five friends to trust in Christ and to share the gospel with those five in May. Matthew 28:19–20

2. Repentance, revival and reformation in Australia and for millions to believe in Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47

3. A Church that grows in extravagant love for God and people. 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

We invite you to support this prayer 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, His Son.

Join us for our nightly Zoom prayer call:

DATES: Every night from Sunday, 4 April to Sunday, 8 June

TIME: 8 PM (AEST), 7:30 PM (SA & NT), 6 PM (WA)

ZOOM URL LINK: zoom.us/j/776881184

ZOOM TUTORIAL: youtube.com/watch?v=pAMDxH_H_Cs

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