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Intention

To grow deeper into our identity in Christ, knowing who our Father is, and walk in his ways.

Scripture

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”

– 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection

Canadians play hockey. Children of God walk in his ways.

I grew up in southern Ontario, Canada, where farm boys played ice hockey — it was simply what you did. But it would be strange to see a Fijian kid playing ice hockey or an Indian kid playing gridiron — they grew up throwing rugby balls and playing backyard cricket. The environment you grow up in shapes who you become.

I believe two of the most important keys in Christianity work the same way: knowing who our Father is, and knowing who we are in Christ.

I believe the majority of Jesus’ teaching, life and ministry was about bringing revelation to the disciples concerning the kingdom of heaven at hand. That is why he asked them to “feed the masses” and “raise the dead”. He took fishermen, tax collectors and sinners and brought them love, truth, grace and the reality of the kingdom — showing the Father’s ways and teaching them who they were.

Paul speaks to us from heavenly revelation. He never met Christ in the natural, yet as a chosen apostle to the Gentiles he received powerful insight into the gospel. He states emphatically that “if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), that we are “blessed with every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3), that we are ambassadors for Christ with access to the most holy places through the blood of the Lamb (Hebrews 10:19–25).

It is vital for us to be believing believers — to let these truths sink deep into our souls. They will shape and mould us. In 28 years of international missions across almost 40 nations, I have seen people healed, saved and delivered — our Father’s kingdom at hand. When we truly know who we are — new creations, ambassadors, children of the king — we are equipped to carry his heart for healing into the places that need it most.

As I think and pray about Australia — a nation I’m grateful to now call home — I see many blessings the Lord has poured out. I also see areas where we need healing, particularly in the relationship between non-Indigenous and Aboriginal Australians.

I know this is a large topic, one that has been prayed into for decades. In a time of prayer, I distinctly heard the Lord say: “Kevin, I will allow fires of my Spirit to be poured out here and there, but until Aboriginal people and white Australians walk together well, you will not see the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit.”

Just as Jesus broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile and formed one new man, I believe the Lord will continue to lead us into greater healing, love, kindness and forgiveness across all our cultures. I have seen this kind of Spirit-led reconciliation elsewhere — and I believe God wants to move even more deeply over this nation.

Let’s know our Father’s ways. Let’s humbly receive who we are in Christ. Let’s allow the Spirit of God to lead us into true healing, wholeness and forgiveness.

Just as we Canadians watched our fathers play hockey and got in there ourselves, may we here in Australia step into what God is doing. I truly believe God wants to pour out a healing balm over this wonderful nation and see his kingdom expanded. The best is yet to come.

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Prayer

Heavenly Father, we ask for a renewed awareness of who we are in Christ and who you are. May these truths sink deep inside us, transforming and shaping us into the people you’ve destined us to be. 

Holy Spirit, continue to lead us into greater healing over this nation, breaking down dividing walls and seeing believers united in Christ. May your truth, love and forgiveness spread across our country so that we walk in your ways and truly become the great southland of the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Author Bio

Kevin Stickl and his wife are the directors of YWAM Byron Bay, where they run many ministry schools and outreaches and want all people everywhere to know the love, salvation and grace of Jesus Christ. Having studied at Bible college in Canada, Kevin has worked full time with YWAM Australia for 28 years. He’s also on The Send Australia shaping team.

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

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