A NATION TURNING TO GOD

Source: Australian Prayer Network

There are encouraging signs that more and more people are realising the need for us to turn back to God.

In the past couple of weeks hundreds of people turned up at prayer meetings in Brisbane and Canberra to pray for their cities and the nation.

Around 600-700 people from many different Churches attended a Concert of Prayer in Brisbane recently which was reported to be a fantastic time of prayer, worship and fellowship. Organisers said it was one of the largest concerts of prayer they had been associated with in Brisbane.
 
For the first time, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane attended the night and spoke to the gathering about how civic council and churches in Brisbane can work together for the good of the city. The Lord Mayor shared his heart for the homeless of Brisbane, and gave his appreciation and thanks to the churches for the part they played in the Yes! We Care Community Outreach day which was part of the National Day Of Thanksgiving celebrations this year.  He expressed his commitment to hold another Lord Mayor’s Pastor’s and Leader’s Prayer Breakfast in March 2007, and also his support for the 2007 Yes! We Care community and evangelistic outreach across the city.
 
In Canberra between 700 and 800 people filled the Great Hall of Parliament House for the purpose of praying for the City and Nation. The gathering which drew people from Churches across Canberra was also attended by six members of our Federal Parliament who led some of the prayers. How thrilling it was to hear the worship of God filtering through the corridors of power as our members of Parliament attended to the affairs of the nation.

The Australian Prayer Network is experiencing a record influx of new registrations as people become aware of the initiative in "Seeking the face of God for the drought" and want to be part of making a difference in our nation through prayer.  Submissions from those taking part in this season of prayer are flowing into our office and we are busy collating the scriptures and revelations that different folk are receiving.  This is both a humbling and sobering experience as God speaks to us through the contributions being made. A summary of these will of course be shared across our Network by mid December. If you have not already done so please continue to send us the scriptures and revelations the Lord gives you during this season of seeking His face. 

Finally we are aware of a number of prayer initiatives being called by different communities around the nation. The Premier of Queensland has asked the Churches to pray for rain and this week has been set aside by the Churches in Queensland for that purpose. Churches in Yass and Condobolin in country NSW are also calling their people to prayer, whilst the Christian Democratic Party under Rev Fred Nile are also calling people across the nation to pray for rain.  I am sure there are many others the news of which has not filtered through to us at the Australian Prayer Network.

The recent rains that have fallen in many parts, particularly along coastal NSW and South East Queensland are an important sign from God that He is willing to do His part if we are prepared to humble ourselves and pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways.  Please however dont just pray for rain, but pray that God would give us the understanding of what He requires of us for Him to break the drought.

DAY OF PRAYER FOR VETERANS NEXT WEDNESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER

Source: Veterans of the Vietnam War and Veterans Coalition

Veterans of the Vietnam War and The Veterans Coalition Inc are asking all Australians to join the world in an International Day of Prayer for Veterans, particularly those returning from the many conflicts in which they are currently engaged across the world.  This day will be held next Wednesday 15th November when people are asked to set aside time to remember and pray for the men and women who fight to protect our freedom.

It has been noticed that an increasing number of Veterans are exhibiting at an earlier stage, the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is believed by a number of Christians associated with the military that this could be associated with them fighting in wars against those of other religions.  Just as our soldiers in Vietnam are believed to have been cursed so it is suspected that our current troops operating in Islamic countries may be experiencing the same treatment and that this could be the source of many of our Veteran's problems.

The following prayer points have been advised to us for sharing with those who plan to take part in the Day of Prayer next week. 
 
1.      Those being trained in the skills of war and who are struggling with personal conflicts because of it.
 
2.      Pray for the Veterans’ minds, that what they see, hear, taste, smell and touch would not affect them adversely.
 
3.      Pray for acceptance, empathy and respect for the cultures of the land where there is fighting for freedom.
 
4.      Pray that retribution will not govern a soldier’s reaction at the loss of a member of his patrol/squad.
 
5.      That honour, integrity and honesty with compassion will be a part of the ‘armour’ each wears yet each will still be able to do what is required at any given time.
 
6.      Pray for those who may be POWs/MIAs - prisoners of war and missing in action - that all countries will abide by the conventions of war and humanity.
 
7.      Pray for the families of those who have members serving in a war zone.
 
8.      Pray for the bereaved families of those who have lost a member to a war-caused death
 
9.      Pray for those who carry injuries because of being at war, both physically and mentally
 
10.  Pray for the unity of men and women who need to work together in the theatre of war.
 
11.  Pray for those who have served and are suffering.
 
12.  Pray for the families of those who are suffering.
 
13.  Pray for veterans struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.
 
14.  Pray for our troops excelling as our messengers of peace and freedom.
 
15.  Pray for the children of soldiers, sailors and air force personnel
 
16.  Pray for the children in the countries of war
 
17.  Pray for peace
 
18.  Pray for those contemplating entering the military.
 
19.  Pray for those returning veterans that they be accepted with respect, dignity and as patriotic messengers of peace and freedom.
 
20.  Pray for those veterans who are homeless upon their return to their home countries.
 
21.  Pray for those veterans who are homeless and struggling with addictions and/or are mentally ill.
 
22  Pray for those who are in authority and need to make difficult decisions.
 
 
Organisers emphasis that this is a NON POLITICAL day of prayer.
 
For further information contact
Carla Evans
Chaplain
Veterans of the Vietnam War and the Veterans Coalition
grace@netlink.com.au

OFFER OF FREE HOLIDAY FOR STRUGGLING RURAL FAMILIES

Source: Wesley Mission Sydney

Wesley Mission in Sydney is offering a free five-day break to struggling rural families at its picturesque Vision Valley and Mangrove Mountain recreation campsites on the outskirts of Sydney.

Between Monday, 11 December and Friday, 15 December families impacted by the drought will have the opportunity to put their feet up or participate in the many recreational activities offered by the centres. All meals will be fully catered. "People in rural and remote NSW have been doing it tough and this is just one way Wesley Mission is helping out struggling families," the Superintendent of Wesley Mission the Rev Keith Garner said.

Mums and dads can shoot the breeze or choose to join the kids in the centre's swimming pool, or when they ride the flying fox, slip down the giant water slide, paddle a canoe, or try their skills at archery. "All activities are supervised so parents can sit back and take a break," he said. "People won't need to worry about cooking or cleaning up."

Numbers are limited so bookings for the week are on a first come, first served basis. "People on the land and in rural and remote communities and towns are finding the demands of daily life much harder," he said. "Many have not had a break for years. It is burden that they do not need to carry on their own.  This will give people the opportunity to switch off, have some fun and be
catered for by our helpful staff."

Some meals are being supplied by local businesses and Rotary clubs. However, Wesley Mission is seeking donations to cover the cost of the holidays, Christmas hampers for families and petrol costs for the journey to Sydney.  Bookings are essential and must be made through Vision Valley (02) 9655-1515. Donations: www.wesleymission.org.au

STOP PRESS: HUMAN CLONING VOTE LOST IN SENATE

Source: Australian Prayer Network

The Private Members Bill to allow Human Embryo Cloning passed the Senate last night by 34 votes to 32. A number of Senators were absent from Parliament when the vote was taken.  It does have to go through the House of Representatives but observers believe this to be almost a foregone conclusion. A feature of the voting was that the legislation was carried largely by the votes of female Senators with some 20 voting to allow cloning whilst only 4 voted against.   

Before being passed it is believed that two amendments were made. (This will need to be confirmed in this mornings press reports as our information is not absolutely clear)  The first increased from 10 to 15 years the prison sentence for flouting safeguards designed to prevent abuse of embryonic cloning. The second stops the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) from granting licences for human-animal hybrid embryos.