Prayers for Politics
(by Annie Cathcart)
I have been involved in INTERCESSORY prayer for over 20 years now and in my journey I have always been very passionate about praying for Australia. I have followed all the national prayer networks like the APN (Australian Prayer Network), Canberra Declaration, ACL and many other prayer groups, and I have always valued the information shared in this way, because I have known that I was never PRAYING ALONE. As a matter of fact the APN has covered Australia by 24/7 INTERCESSORY prayer for many years now.
I know that God hears and answers every prayer of a righteous man or woman (James 5:13-18); but he does not always answer the way we would like him to.
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERY NATION, AND THE WORLD FOR THAT MATTER, but only HE KNOWS WHAT THAT IS. For that reason I have always felt that it is important that we ASK HIM HOW WE SHOULD PRAY.
“And in the same way – by our FAITH the HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US with our daily problems and IN OUR PRAYING. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how to pray as we should; but the HOLY SPIRIT PRAYS FOR US with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. And the Father, who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the spirit is saying as He pleads for us in HARMONY WITH GODS OWN PLANS.” (Romans 8:26-27)
When working in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as a Salvation Army officer I saw first hand the power of PRAYING IN A SMALL GROUP, and that was reinforced when I retired and became involved in Elijah House ministry. I saw this even more in our Toowoomba Intercessors group, as we always waited for the Holy Spirit to lead us before we began to pray, and WE ALWAYS PRAYED IN UNITY.
PRAYED IS NOT ABOUT HOW MANY WORDS WE USE – BUT WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS. Remember the Lord knows our thoughts before we even
think them, so we need to pray with our hearts.
“You know what I am going to say before I even say it.” (Psalm 139:4)
I have been practicing this way of praying in all my prayer groups since I became the leader of the Toowoomba Regional Prayer Network (TRPN), and since COVID hit, that works very well in my small Zoom groups as well.
When the body of Christ comes together in unity we are CLUSTER ANOINTED, and if you read the attachment “Cluster Anointing for Unity” (PDF file) you will see a description of how that works.
So pray however the Lord leads you, GOD HEARS EVERY PRAYER; but always pray for HIS WILL TO BE DONE – and for HIS KINGDOM TO COME, and EXPECT GOD TO ACT according to HIS PLANS.
Annie Cathcart, TRPN and ‘Global Prayer Connections’ coordinator. anniesprayernet@gmail.com
Scripture Reflection
Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
(John 9:28-32 NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
(Philippians 4:6 NIV)
In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.
A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
(Proverbs 21:1 NIV)
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 honor, then honor.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
(Romans 13:1-8 NIV)
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.
(1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)
Prayer
(by Bjorn Schmid)
Father God,
You are the Lord of Heaven and Earth. Above You there is no other.
We submit ourselves to You as our King over our lives, families, friends neighbours and colleagues, over everything we are and aspire to be and do. We pray Your will is revealed to us and your strength and wisdom given to us to carry out Your will.
Across our country, we pray You raise up leaders in politics and the armed forces who will take up your banner of love and truth in their hearts and shine Your light to the people in the places of debate and decisions for our municipalities, states and nation. Let everything not of You be revealed and removed, and let Your righteous and holy policies, procedures and practices be implemented in our parliaments, in the management of our public service and of our military forces. Let Your LOVE rule Lord, and not the foolish and limited ‘niceness’ of men.
(In Australia) Father we also want to see more representation from our indigenous and ethnic communities in the ‘places of power’. In particular, please raise up Your leaders from the Australian First Peoples, from Asians, from Slavics, and from Africans. Help us to know how and and when to pray for and support these leaders. Help us to have the courage not to shrink from our duty to honour and support them when the media and our friends turn against us, as the enemy roars in futility against Your people. We ask You to bind the ‘strong men’ who are blocking Your leaders from taking up these roles and release blessings on them and their teams. Give Your leaders favour will all the right groups and parties we pray Father.
Finally Lord we ask you to protect our military and border protection forces. Not only as they face increasing moral challenges, but also as they face deadly peril, sometimes daily, to maintain the protection of our country from unauthorised entry and when they are asked to go to protect other nations. Boost the chaplaincy services Lord with Your chosen people and let each member of these forces have the time to be encouraged to know Jesus, Your son, personally.
Be glorified in our nation Lord!
Yes and amen.