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Note: Today we remember those who have served our nation in war, with many laying down their lives. As did many of the Anzacs, we also remember Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice so we can rise to eternal life. Lest we forget.

Intention

To know that God calls all Christians to share the gospel with others, and to begin praying for five people and seek to share the good news with them.

Scripture

“‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’”

– Romans 10:13–15

Reflection

Friend, if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, it is highly likely that this came about because someone took the time to share the gospel with you. When we are called out of darkness into his marvellous light, we too are commissioned to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. How selfish it would be for a Christian to remain silent, knowing the gravity of an eternity spent outside of his presence.

The gospel is not a private matter. It is good news that must be shared with the world! For 2,000 years, that is exactly what has been happening, often through the enormous sacrifices of those who went to tell others.

I was recently reminded of the story of Jim Elliot.

If you are not familiar with who he was, here is a brief account. The Waorani people of Ecuador’s Amazon jungle had a reputation for killing outsiders, and Jim knew this. He went anyway.

On 8 January 1956, Jim and four fellow missionaries landed on a remote riverbank in eastern Ecuador, hoping to bring the gospel to a people who had never heard the name of Christ. Instead, they were speared to death by the very tribe they had come to reach.

To the world, it looked like a tragic waste — five young men dead, families shattered, and the mission a failure. Before he died, Jim had written in his journal: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

Then came something the world could not explain: Elisabeth Elliot returned to the very tribe that had killed her husband. She did so not for revenge, but to offer forgiveness and to finish the mission that Jim had begun. Many of those warriors eventually came to Christ. What looked like defeat became a harvest.

Many have admired Jim Elliot. His legacy raises this question: Would we obey if obedience risked everything?

Looking at Romans 10, we are called and commissioned to communicate Jesus Christ, and to pray that this cycle continues!

This season does not involve going to the Amazon — though God bless the missionaries who walk in obedience to that call! Five4Five is for old and young alike. How do we participate? We are asked to pray for five people and share the gospel with them. We may face some pushback and difficult conversations — but then again, we may not. Either way, let us remember: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

As a pastor, I can share that the ACORN method of evangelism has made a real impact on several people in our church. It is simple and effective, relying on prayer, listening, and obedience. If you have not seen Warwick Marsh discuss ACORN with evangelist Michael Harvey, it is well worth watching.

The ‘A’ in the acronym ACORN stands for ‘ask’. We begin with this simple prayer, asking: “Lord, today is there someone you want me to connect with outside the Church?” We simply make ourselves available to him.

If we have been paying attention, the persecution of Christians is increasing. Many in the West have been silenced by fear, and genuine missionary work in some parts of the world can be dangerous. But here we are in Australia — and through migration, however we might view it, the world is coming to us. The harvest field is ripe! As a friend once said: “If you’re believing for spuds, pick up a shovel!”

Video

Prayer

LORD God,

May we be those who desire to know nothing but Christ and him crucified. Give us a greater love for those you love, and a greater hatred for the things you hate.

Open our eyes to see the answers to our prayers in the people around us.

May our love for you and desire to share in your blessings outweigh every fear, distraction or false idol in our hearts. Multiply the joy of our salvation as we share this good news with all we meet.

Sustain us with your presence each day. For it’s not by might, nor by power, but only by your Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray,

Amen.

Author Bio

Leonie and Ivan have been married for 47 years and have three sons and three grandchildren. They came to faith in Jesus Christ on the same night in 1984.

After decades in music ministry as worship leaders and songwriters, they became involved with the Canberra Declaration prayer movement, where they hold leadership roles. They now pastor Revelation Christian Church, a Full Gospel Australia church on the Central Coast of NSW.

Prayer Points for Five4Five 2026

1. Five people 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 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.

Join us for our nightly Zoom prayer call:

DATES: Every night from Sunday, 12 April to Pentecost Sunday, 24 May

TIME: 8 pm (AEST), 7:30 pm (ACST), 6 pm (WA)

ZOOM URL LINK: zoom.us/j/776881184

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

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