Unless the Lord Builds the House: Day 20
Intention
To pray that the great work of evangelisation be grounded in responsiveness to the Holy Spirit.
Scripture
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”
– Psalm 127:1–2
Reflection
We carry out the Great Commission given by the Lord, at his ascension, in obedience to his command to go out to all the earth and proclaim the good news (Matthew 28:16–20). The Church has always been outward focused, and the Christian faith exists in every country on earth because Christians, have over the centuries, responded to this call of the Lord.
However, it is important to note that his apostles were instructed to return to Jerusalem and wait till they were “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
The apostles were called upon to be obedient to the Great Commission, but it would be through the power of the Holy Spirit that the great work of evangelisation could be carried out.
The early Church witnesses again and again to the presence, guidance and power of the Holy Spirit in ensuring that the Church was effective in its proclamation and ministry. Consider the conversion of the centurion, Cornelius, and his household, given in Acts 10:1–48.
The story of the early Church teaches us that the mission of evangelisation is to be done in and through the Holy Spirit.
We individually may have a zeal to proclaim the message, but we must not fall into the trap of relying solely upon ourselves. We may develop great strategies, use sophisticated techniques, rely upon the latest marketing advice, but this is to reduce the mission to a merely human enterprise. It may produce some good results, but not lasting fruit.
The advice of the psalmist should be kept in mind: unless the Lord build the house, in vain do the labourers toil.
Video
Prayer
Lord, we entrust our nation, Australia, to you and pray that a new wave of evangelisation will flow forth from the Church. Raise up men and women of faith who are bold proclaimers of the gospel.
May we learn to entrust all our efforts to the Holy Spirit and not simply rely upon our own zeal, gifts and talents, but surrender in humility to be used by the Holy Spirit. For to you alone belong the glory and the power, forever and ever, amen.
Author Bio
Julian Porteous was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Sydney in 1974. He served in parishes in Sydney with a special focus on evangelisation. He was the organiser of Jesus Christ at Manly Oval, developed the Pastoral Training School to train young people in ministry, and was Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd. In 2003 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney and in 2013 Archbishop of Hobart.
Prayer Points for October 2025
- God to pour out his blessing and Spirit on every church in Australia and its leaders. Hebrews 13:7
- All churches in Australia to grow in Christlikeness and win people to Christ. Acts 6:7
- Widespread adoption of Reaching Australia 2033 and its plan to activate every believer in personal evangelism. Acts 1:8
- Revival for Australia and for millions to come to Christ. Isaiah 64:1–2
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.
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Amen let it be so