Just a small reminder that the articles on this website reflect the opinion and witness of the respective authors, which may or may not align with your own; consider this with Ephesians 4:1-7 in mind.
Bjorn & Lilian Schmid
Praying for the Sphere of Influence of Government
(by Rev. Owen N Butt, January 2025)
PERSONAL
These are my personal reflections on the way GOD has led me in relation to GOVERNMENT and the Governing authorities.
My experience over many years in Jesus’ Church is that prayer for Government is often encouraged, as it should be; but ACTION, actually getting involved in the political process is NOT encouraged. And for much of my Christian life, that was also true for me.
In my adult life, including as a Uniting Church minister, I would sometimes attend local Council meetings because local Council was closer to the people and often had a significant impact on the quality of life of the people in the region – for better or worse.
But beyond that token involvement I was very happy to leave politics to others.
2018 – CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, CDP
That is… UNTIL late 2018 when God very clearly called me to BE A CANDIDATE in the 2019 NSW elections. I was NOT happy.
I had retired as a Uniting Church minister and was employed part-time by Padstow Baptist Church at the time. And I had lost my beautiful wife Lynda to cancer.
My answer was easy when I was first asked to be a candidate. I did NOT want to. But as always I promised that I would ask the Boss, my Lord Jesus, and get back to them.
Over a period of about two weeks, the Lord made it very clear to me that HE was indeed calling me to be a candidate. I wrote down all the evidence, one and a half pages, so that when things got tough, I would never have reason to doubt God’s call.
I knew from the Bible and from experience that where God calls, He also goes ahead. HE does the heavy lifting and makes things happen which would not normally happen.
I still wasn’t happy, but I was willing. I got back to them and said Yes!
This was with the Christian Democratic Party and for the NSW Lower House electorate of East Hills. There was very little money or assistance available from CDP head office, and the CDP leadership were showing signs of increasing dysfunction. Interesting timing for GOD to choose. Fortunately, and by the grace of GOD, while the East Hills team was small it was amazing.
Historically the CDP had never managed to get anyone into the Lower House, and with East Hills being both Lower House AND one of the most marginal seats in NSW, the Labor (centre-left) and Liberal (centre-right) parties both poured enormous resources into their campaigns. No one gave my campaign any chance of success. It was not easy.
I was confident in my relationship with GOD and in His calling however, so the team and I gave it everything we had. Our one heart was to honour GOD; and He honoured us and blessed our efforts, with many ‘unlikely’ things happening. The campaign took over 9 months of my life and was truly challenging, but it was also an amazing experience of the glory and faithfulness of God.
Throughout the East Hills campaign, our corflutes bore the challenging words, ‘GOD sized problems require GOD sized solutions’. I was prepared to cop some flak for this, so I was pleasantly surprised by the positive change in the atmosphere of various polling places as GOD was introduced into thoughts and conversations. New possibilities. Hope rising. Because of GOD.
I was not elected, and that was OK. Amongst other things, it was our preferences that tipped a Christian Liberal party candidate over the line to become the member for East Hills and a positive influence in NSW parliament.
Whatever God’s purposes were, I believe they were achieved, and I was content.
I rather hoped that this might be the end of my ‘political career’, but GOD had other plans. Three more clear callings, all in the political sphere, but very different.
2021 – AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN LOBBY, ACL
I had often been impressed by what God was doing through the ACL, and therefore happy to support their work financially, prayerfully and as a volunteer. In 2021, and now living in Blue Hills Village, Prestons, I missed a significant campaign and when I enquired, I was told: “There is no LCO in Werriwa. Would you like to be the LCO?” I gave the only answer I could: “I will check with the Boss and get back to you.” Which I did, and became the new LCO (Local Campaign Organiser) or Volunteer Leader for the whole Federal Division of Werriwa. It was my responsibility to build a team in a new and unknown area, and in the midst of Covid when face to face was very difficult.
I should make it clear here that the ACL is a political lobby group and NOT a political party. From a Christian perspective, both have the same motivation, and it is perhaps best summarised by Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:9-10: “Father, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Because governments have been given much of God’s authority to make this happen, and often fall far short, God raises up Christian politicians and political parties to exert a Godly influence from within Parliament. And He also raises up Christian lobby groups like ACL to exert a Godly influence from outside Parliament. Both are essential and they can complement one another well.
2023 – AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIANS PARTY (NSW)
With the failure and de-registration of Rev. Nile and the CDP in 2022, there was much grieving and sadness. Instead of attempting to build a new party which would further divide the already small Christian vote, some in NSW wondered whether there might be a proudly Christian, GOD honouring political party anywhere in Australia, around which we could all unite.
Such a party was unexpectedly found in Western Australia, and the Australian Christians Party in WA began to receive enquiries about helping to establish a division of the Party in NSW.
Their initial response was a very clear NO! They did not have the time, energy or resources to help us get established in NSW. But GOD was not happy with that response. Fortunately prayer is a priority for the leaders, and in early 2023 when all the leaders were gathered to seek the Lord’s direction for the year ahead, one of the questions was in relation to NSW. All the leaders were to ask God what HE wanted for NSW, and every one came back saying that GOD wanted them to ‘Go East’. God had turned them 180 degrees. They were not necessarily happy, but the conviction was so strong that the then President Trevor Young stood down and his Deputy took over so that Trevor could be more available in obeying God’s instruction to help us get established in NSW.
Many times God has made it clear that this Australian Christians party is His vision, His creation, from His heart. The journey in NSW has been a long and difficult one, but also a great joy as we watched God work. It is a story worth telling, but perhaps at a different time.
Australian Christians is one of God’s miracles. In NSW we are still young and little known.
- We had a strong team in the Wagga Council election last year and they did much better than the pundits expected.
- We have at least two strong candidates for the Senate in the Federal election which will be announced soon (perhaps April 2025). More candidates would be good.
- We have about 140 members. We will need a LOT more members before the next NSW election in 2027.
- We have no paid staff. The registered office is in my front bedroom in a retirement village.
- BUT the WA team and office have been a wonderful support, AND we have wonderful twice monthly AC PRAYER on Zoom.
We look forward to seeing more of what GOD will do. To the glory of His Holy Name!
2024 – LIVERPOOL COUNCIL ELECTION
In late 2019, God had deliberately moved me from Revesby near Bankstown to Prestons near Liverpool. It was to live in a retirement village, but He made it very clear that it was not to retire. Rather so that I could be even more available for whatever He needed.
So with the birth of Australian Christians in NSW, it made sense that God would want me to be a candidate in my new area. I was endorsed by Australian Christians, and went through the registration process with the NSW Electoral Commission. I started to attend Liverpool Council meetings to get a better feel for Council, the area and the issues. I also began to feel out local churches, and look for potential running mates so that the Australian Christians name would appear on the Ballot paper. It was slow and hard.
Then a bombshell! Liverpool Council and its mayor were accused of many irregularities and the Minister for Local Government was talking about dissolving the Council and bringing in an Administrator. Under those circumstances the election would be cancelled or deferred.
I was confused about what I should do, but finally felt GOD saying that I had been faithful in what He had asked me to do, and that I did not need to go ahead with Nomination. This race was over.
CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO
I have a great concern that most churches are still closed to anything political, even to a GOD honouring, proudly Christian party like Australian Christians. Separation of church and state!? Jesus never taught that.
Another of my concerns is what is sometimes called the SILENT MAJORITY, and unfortunately this includes a great many church attenders.
You are probably aware that every member of parliament (MP) is elected to represent a specific group of people, called their electorate. Regardless of the personal beliefs and values of the MP, if the only voices speaking out in their electorate are anti-GOD, anti-life, anti-family, anti-Truth, demanding Freedom to do whatever they want regardless of the impact on the freedom and rights of others! If those are the only voices heard in the electorate, then the MP has no solid ground to stand on.
And those who have remained silent must accept a large part of the responsibility for the darkness of the outcome.
How is your MP going? What would make a big difference for them?
On a positive and hopeful note, one of the great strengths of the Australian Christian Lobby ACL is that they provide a lot of opportunities for those who have been silent to gain a voice in both words and action. And ACL provides a LOT of support. This is a large part of my ACL role within the Federal Division of Werriwa in the south west fringe of Sydney.
Who are the leaders of ACL in Australia? Perhaps even the Volunteer Leader in your Federal Division? What would make a big difference for them? Check the website: acl.org.au
This has simply been a personal starting point with much to Thank GOD for, and much to intercede for. The theme of GOVERNMENT is obviously much bigger than my limited experience.
REFLECTIONS FROM SCRIPTURE
Some things the BIBLE says about Government and the governing authorities.
Matthew 6:9-10 is GOD’s BIG picture and a great starting point for everything, including Government.
Words of JESUS – Pray like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be YOUR Name,
YOUR kingdom come,
YOUR will be done,
on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.”
(Matthew 6:9-10 NIV with personal emphasis)
Submit to the governing authorities.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.”
(Romans 13:1-7 NIV)
The role of the Law.
“We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.”
(1 Timothy 1:8-11 NIV)
Pray first for those in authority.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.”
(1 Timothy 2:1-6a NIV)
Submit to every human authority.
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
(1 Peter 2:13-17 NIV)
Give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s and to God that which is God’s.
Jesus said, “Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
(Matthew 22:18,19-21 NIV)
Valuable to pray and declare over Christians in positions of authority.
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:15-23 NIV)
Strategic Intercession for Governments and Protection Services
Dear friends in Christ,
in his first letter to Timothy, Paul conveys a clear instruction that we should pray “for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2a). This is a direct instruction from the Lord in Scripture which we should regard seriously. A battle is under way in the air for political rule in every country. If the powers of darkness are allowed to work undisturbed and influence people, they gain and maintain control over governments and people in positions of authority. The consequences have been and will be catastrophic. Apart from the fact that the Evil One wants to control and manipulate people in the political field, he also wants to control people in any position of authority.
In 2014 we started an initiative Praying for Government by Portfolio – Prayer Strategy for the Spheres of Influence. Our focus was and is still on the Government by each (ministerial) Portfolio, and we continue to ask our Lord God for His wisdom, strength, power, motivation, and all energies to continue this mission to pray for our leaders. This strategy was a framework designed originally for Australia, but you can take some ideas how to pray for your Ministers and Ministry Portfolios in your nation’s government.
Some Specific Nations
Currently we need to pray for President Trump and his cabinet. President Donald Trump assumed office as the 47th president of the United States on January 20, 2025. The president has the authority to nominate members of his cabinet to the United States Senate for confirmation under the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution. Please pray for each one of them and their portfolios: Second cabinet of Donald Trump – Wikipedia
Pray also for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
Benjamin Netanyahu – Wikipedia, and the Israeli war cabinet. The Israeli war cabinet was formed on October 11, 2023, five days after the beginning of the Israel–Hamas war. The opposition party National Unity joined the thirty-seventh government led by Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister. Negotiations began upon the outbreak of the war.
More details here: Israeli war cabinet – Wikipedia.
Also please pray for the upcoming federal election in Australia in 2025, probably in April or May. Our nation is struggling with the cost of living, particularly housing and energy, despite promises by the current Labor government before their election three years ago. This government has also sent mixed messages regarding Israel and the multiple terror groups that are determined to destroy it. We need Australia to abandon destructive policies of false “diversity”, have a clear national plan of action to pull our economy back from financially crippling the population, and a strong and vocal support for the nation of Israel and for a just and lasting peace for Israelis and the Palestinian people.
Who Must We Pray For?
- Politicians: the president/chancellor/prime minister/premier, cabinet and ministers, members of the houses of parliament, opposition parties, diplomats and ambassadors, and those supporting and employed under these leaders.
- Protection services: commissioners/heads of federal/state police, heads of the military – generals and senior officers, border protection, customs, and national guard heads, and all men and women serving under these leaders.
- Parliamentary and constitutional legal institutions and the professionals and support staff in these bodies.
We Pray:
- That there would be a moral revolution of righteousness in Government.
- That those in authority would come to know the Lord Jesus … and those who know You would be placed in authority.
- That discipline and respect would be restored in all Government positions.
- That a standard of excellence would be restored to support citizens in all nations.
Strategy Tips when Praying
- Pray for each Minister in your Government.
- Pray for public servants who are assisting the Minister in each Portfolio (top management and board members, about decision making officers, etc.)
- Click though each Minister’s personal website to check on their Ministry and activities.
- Check the Ministerial Government Website and click through the links to pray for each area.
- Check news and media releases on the main Government and Ministry websites, and review the social media pages of each Portfolio, to get the latest news to pray for.
- Review ‘upcoming events’ under each Portfolio and pray for them.
- Pray for all Agencies and Boards in each Portfolio.
- Uphold everyone and everything in your prayers: pray for the people in positions and also for their families and those close to them.
- Pray for the families of each member.
Scriptures to Meditate On
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:6 NIV)
“He has made it clear to you, mortal man, what is good and what the LORD is requiring from you— to act with justice, to treasure the LORD’s gracious love, and to walk humbly in the company of your God.”
(Micah 6:8 ISV)
“Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.”
(Psalm 25:6-7 NKJV)
“The LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not abandon you, destroy you, or forget the promise to your ancestors that he swore he would keep.”
(Deuteronomy 4:31 GWT)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. … I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(John 14:1-4,6b ESV)
Bjorn and Lilian Schmid
Prayer Coordinators
Spheres of Influence
www.prayerstrategy.org
See also books by Lilian Schmid – prayerstrategy.org/books