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We write with some shocking news which we believe warrants a quick response. It is our conviction that Australia is again at a crossroads and that our best response is to pray.
Last Friday the Federal Defence Industry Minister, MP Christopher Pyne, spoke at a Sydney bar to 150 members of the left-wing faction of the Liberal Party who call themselves the Black Hand. This was just before the Liberal Party's federal council last weekend.
Boasting of the ascendancy of the left-wing over the conservative right, Pyne said "friends, we are in the winner's circle, but we have to deliver a couple of things and one of those we've got to deliver before too long is marriage equality in this country." He then intimated that the present Government would deliver on same-sex 'marriage' without a plebiscite saying,"We're going to get it
. It might even be sooner than everyone thinks. And your friends in Canberra are working on that outcome."
Many have been outraged by this leaked speech which suggests that the Prime Minister may be secretly plotting to break an election promise. If
the Turnbull Government reneged on their pledge of a plebiscite to decide whether or not to redefine marriage, this would
leave the Coalition's viability in serious question.
Over the past week it is clear that Pyne's
leaked speech has detonated an explosion that has the potential to destroy the party and bring down the Turnbull Government. If this happens Labor would immediately bring in same-sex marriage and the battle to preserve marriage would be lost.
In response to this dire situation an Indigenous Elder, Pastor Tim Edwards, working in partnership with Matt Ransome, a Catholic Christian leader in Canberra, felt burdened to call the Church
to pray and fast for Australia. Specifically, this would be for our leaders, our government and that marriage in Australia will remain between a man and a woman, as it always has been.
Pastor Tim Edwards felt led to urge three days of prayer and fasting from 1-3 July 2017, even though it is very short notice, saying that "in a fight there's got to be a strike". You can watch Pastor Edward's call to pray here. This was brought before 27 leaders of the prayer movement in Australia in a teleconference on Thursday 29 June
. As each prayer leader shared and prayed in turn, it was very clear there was unanimous support. Teleconference participants then produced this media release calling for prayer for Australia. This has now gone out nationally and internationally.
We believe that God is already at work! While the Prime Minister and his Government have been in damage control, we thank God for individuals and prayer ministries who have already been praying.
On Wednesday night, Christopher Pyne made an apology at the Federal Election Conference AGM over his leaked speech.
For your inspiration please watch this short video which beautifully presents the words of the Canberra Declaration on Marriage and Family. It is also our new cover video on our Facebook page (make sure your sound is on).
Please join with us to pray and fast (as led) for Australia 1-3 July remembering this powerful promise from God -
"I
f my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
- Praise God that what is being said in secret places has been exposed to the nation.
- Pray that the Church in Australia will awaken and become a voice in the nation and that the Name of Jesus will be lifted high across our land.
- Pray for righteous leadership in Australia's Government. Pray that the rift between the Liberal's two main factions, which are now openly warring with each other, will be healed.
- Pray that marriage will not be redefined in Australian law. You can download and pray this 'Prayer for the Preservation of Marriage in Australia' which has special sections on repentance and strongholds.
If you find you are not able to pray and fast at this very short notice, we understand. Please try to pray and fast sometime in the coming week.
Thank you!
Yours for the Righteous One to be exalted in our nation,
David Rowsome & Warwick Marsh
PS
You are invited to take part in celebrating
the 7th anniversary of the Canberra Declaration coming up in three weeks on Sunday the 23rd of July 2017. Interestingly, it was an imminent threat to redefine marriage in the 2010 Federal election that inspired a cross-section of Christian leaders to quickly draft and release the Canberra Declaration. We thank God that the definition of marriage has remained unchanged over the past seven years. The need to pray and act for marriage and family remains!
More details will be provided in the near future.
Please pass this email newsletter on to your friends. Tell them about the Call to Prayer & Fasting and ask them to READ & SIGN the Canberra Declaration.
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