(prepared by Lilian Schmid)
We started this initiative in 2014; our focus is on the Government by each Portfolio, and we continue to ask our Lord God for His wisdom, strength, power, motivation, and all energies to continue our mission to pray for our leaders.
This Strategy is a framework designed for Australia but you can take some ideas how to pray for your Ministers and Ministry Portfolios in your nation’s Government. If you are interested, send me an email and I am happy to assist you how to put together a prayer strategy for your nation’s Government Portfolios.
Here is a verse from the Bible where a powerful piece of revelation is being given to us by the Lord:
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19)
Jesus Himself will actually be in the midst of us believers who are praying in agreement and in union with one another to God the Father. This also means Jesus is hearing our prayers loud and clear, and because Jesus is hearing this loud and clear, God the Father will; hear out prayers and they will be answered as He wills it.
”His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 3:10).
Let us pray together in love and unity to God for the people in our Government to be reconciled to Him and act according to His perfect love and will.
What is a Government Portfolio?
In the Australian Government “A portfolio is a minister’s area of responsibility as a member of Cabinet.” You can see a current list of the Australian Government Portfolios at
www.directory.gov.au/portfolios
A Portfolio will generally cover one Government Department, but may include multiple Departments, as well as Government Agencies, and Government Appointed and other Boards and structures.
The links on the Australian Government website above are doors (those doors will open to the Holy Spirit as you click in to open them) and God will give you more doors to open to find all information that you need and He will guide you through the areas that need prayer.
Each Government Department has its own departmental website with ministerial and parliamentary secretaries often having their own websites as well. Within each Portfolio there are also numerous Agency and program websites.
Although Government Ministers, Portfolios and Departments are determined by the majority party or coalition parties as elected by Australians, because Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom, all senior appointments and structures need to be passed through the Governor General of Australia (who represents the Queen of the Commonwealth). The Governor-General appoints Ministers, establishes Departments and allocates responsibility among Ministers through an Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO). More information on this can be found at www.pmc.gov.au/government/parliamentary-information
Example Portfolio
Try the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Environment (links below); see where the Holy Spirit will take you. To transform a nation we need to start praying for its Government.
Portfolio of Agriculture, Water and Environment
Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment
Start with the minister of the portfolio, and then work your way through the minister’s team, and then each through into each Department, Agency and Board. The more doors you open and pray, the more you uphold these Governance organisations and divisions and the people in them in your prayers. Breakthrough will take place as you dig in and find where the enemy is hiding and you take authority and charge in Jesus name to clean these organisations and divisions with your prayers.
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.
- Claim the blood of Jesus over each Portfolio.