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 News Update 75                                           5 September 2013

Make Your Vote Count 

  
Dear 

 

We write with some final encouragements to make your vote count in the 2013 federal election. 

  • Keep  praying for a good result that honours God and protects our Australian values that are founded on the Judeo-Christian belief system. 

We thank God for the many who have been praying for the federal election.  In particular we thank God for the Australian Prayer Network who called a season of prayer and voluntary fasting from 5 August to polling day 7 September.  Prayer is our most important activity in seeing God's plans and purposes for Australia come to pass. 

  • Use the tools prepared by Christian groups to help make your vote count. Many have asked about Senate Preference details. The information from Family Voice in Point 3 below is of particular value for those who want to understand how to vote in the Senate.

 

1. The Australian Christian Values Checklist 2nd edition. 

  

2. Information to help you vote from Salt Shakers.  

 

This looks at how a vote is cast, as well as how the vote is counted and how preferences work.

 

3. Information to help you vote in the Senate from Family Voice. 

 

This provides specific information for each state and territory for voting above the line for the Senate.

 

4. Detailed instructions to help you vote in the Senate by Moira Kirkwood, the prayer coordinator for the Endeavour Forum.

 

This provides detailed step-by-step instructions on how to prepare your own ballot sheet if you want to vote below the line for the Senate. It makes use of the well-prepared Family Life International (Australia) 'Essential Pro-Life Voting Guide'.

 

  • Marvel at what God has done this week.
On Monday night there were two nation-wide Q&A's through which God spoke powerfully on the key election issue of marriage.  Early in the evening the Australian Christian Lobby held its 'Make It Count' webcast in several hundred venues across Australia. It began with pre-recorded messages by Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott addressed to Christians.  Strangely Kevin Rudd said nothing specific about his changed views on marriage whereas Tony Abbott openly restated his belief that marriage is solely between one man and one woman. The distinguished panel of Christian leaders went on to clearly highlight what is at stake in re-defining marriage.  
 
The second Q&A took place later in the evening on ABC television.  Pastor Matt Prater, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer and Fasting Organising Team, was invited to ask a question. What happened has made news around the world. The YouTube of the short segment has had 349,000 views in 3 days! This Salt Shakers' report gives all the details. Even today's The Australian newspaper has an article by Adam Ch'ng called 'Judas Kiss' Will Cost PM.

 

This is all the more amazing and encouraging because the Australian Prayer Network prayer point for Monday
2 September was "Marriage is an honourable state instituted by God, and is the preferred form of traditional family life in Australia.  Pray for policies that protect and strengthen the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman." 
   

 

Yes, God is hearing our prayers!  Now it is also up to us to act and make our votes count for Christian values to flourish in Australia.

 

Warwick Marsh and David Rowsome

 

PS. Thank you to those who have sent us a donation to help the Canberra Declaration in its mission to make a stand for life, faith, freedom and family. If you haven't done so yet, would you give a donation of $20 to help the ongoing ministry of the Canberra Declaration in upholding our Christian values? Please Donate Here.

  
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www.canberradeclaration.org.au
Protecting Our Australian Values 


P.O. Box 378
, Unanderra NSW 2526     info@canberradeclaration.org.au
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The Canberra Declaration is the work of many people and organisations. The administration of the initiative is being supported by the Australian Christian Values Institute and Australian Heart Ministries.

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