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Intention

To live as children of the day and wake up those who spiritually sleep.

Scripture

“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

“For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:5–10

Reflection

Reflecting on these verses in 1 Thessalonians, I can only conclude that, as “children of the day”, spiritual sleep was never meant to be our portion.

In fact, the indulgence of the flesh robs us of living the very life we have been freely given. Saved sons who sleep spiritually become useless servants (Galatians 5:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6).

It is a dangerous position to be asleep, when we, the Church, have a lampstand to tend.

You can’t buy oil when you’re asleep.

The problem the sleeper has is that they don’t know they are asleep! They may even think they are awake, not knowing that they are dreaming. It is only when someone wakes them up, that they realise they were asleep.

We are called to be the children of the day! Awakened ones who:

1. Know our identity as children of the light, and live out that identity (1 Thessalonians 5:5–6).
2. Are sober-minded and alert, prepared to resist our enemy, the devil (1 Peter 5:8–9).
3. Are found watching and praying, so that we will not “enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41).
4. Are dressed for the day — clothed in faith, love and the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Maybe you realise, as you’re reading this, that you have been asleep to the true reality of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). The good news is, you’re awakening now.

If that’s you, don’t close your eyes and drift back to sleep. Embrace that it’s morning, even if it hurts to think of your responsibilities. Get out of the bed of temptation you’ve slept in (and don’t get back in!). Then, go wake the rest of the house up!

Maybe you are awake, and longing for others to be awakened. Submit yourself to the mission and service of God, guard your heart from complaint, and come join us as we wake up the Southlands!

How do we wake them up?

1. We must first be awake, sober and dressed (watchful).
2. We take the authentic and unashamed joy of the morning with us — beat the drums, sing the songs, proclaim the good news — the morning is here!
3. We go into the darkness, to those asleep.
4. We change the environment — open the blinds, turn on the lights, unsettle the beds, be loud about our joy. What good news is worth their waking up?
5. If sleepiness prolongs, we continue to labour, “striving with his strength that works powerfully within” us (Colossians 1:29). We’ll shake them awake if we must!
6. We will not be satisfied with the opening of eyes — we will provoke them out of bed, as awakeners.

Oh, Great Southlands… do you sleep?

Who will awaken you, great sleeper?

It is the children of the day: the shining ones, going into all the darkness with the rejoicing of the morning, the obedient and unashamed!

We don’t just have the faith for a great awakening — we are the awakeners.

Children of the day, arise! Come, let’s wake up the Southlands!

It is time.

Video

Prayer

Lord, provoke us by your Spirit, to live as we are — children of the day. 

Raise us up as awakeners to the sleeping, that the God-given destiny of this Great Southland be fulfilled in this day!

Give us your supernatural acceleration, momentum and connections, so that we will be most effective in establishing the prophetic vision you have given our nation.

Most of all, Lord, have mercy upon us and pour out your Spirit on these dry lands, all for your glory. 

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Author Bio

Joelle Cullen is a doctor at Hervey Bay Hospital, Queensland. An active member of the Canberra Declaration, Joelle is passionate about seeing the next generation of young people arise and run, by the power of the Holy Spirit, into the fullness of what Jesus won at the cross.

Prayer Points for October 2026

We are praying for the Church to:

1. Awaken to her first love for Jesus (Ephesians 5:14; Revelation 2:4).
2. Awaken to evangelism so that millions will trust in Christ (John 3:16; Proverbs 11:30).
3. Awakento her prophetic voice to the nation (Isaiah 52:1; Matthew 14:4).

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