STATE ELECTION PRAYER GUIDE

SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2020 Thank you for downloading this prayer guide.

We appreciate you and your commitment to praying for the state election. This is a key election. It’s the first one for where those elected will serve a four-year term. It is being held in the midst of a global pandemic the likes of which we have not seen for generations. Key issues such as Life, Economic growth and development and integrity in government are at the forefront. There are also key distinctions between the various parties (ALP, LNP, Katter Australia Party & One Nation) on where they stand on the various issues.

It’s time to not only rise up in prayer but also to rise up in action. This guide, the planned weekly zoom calls and the online community that is being established are all designed to provide you with key information on how to pray, be informed as to the key issues in this election and to join together as a community united in prayer, praying what is on the Father’s heart for the state of Queensland at this time.

Before we delve into the details of the issues to be praying for, let’s take a moment to revisit what intercession is. Some of you reading this guide will be seasoned intercessors, for others this will be the first time praying for an election. Either way it is good to be reminded as to our role in prayer. What is on the Father’s Heart for the State of Queensland?

First, we need to remember that Jesus is not just an intercessor but our Intercessor! Hebrews 7:25 (NLT) says: "Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf." Jesus is interceding on our behalf. A great question to ask Jesus is: “What are you currently interceding for me about?” (on a personal basis) and also a great place to start when praying for this election is: “What you are currently interceding about on behalf of the state of Queensland and this election?” There is an opportunity for you to share what is revealed as God answers these questions in the online community.

As the Father sends the Holy Spirit, we are led and directed by the Holy Spirit how to pray according to the Father’s heart, and Jesus, the Great High Priest, the Advocate, the Mediator, takes our prayer requests to the Father. As we pray in this way, according to His purpose, we can expect answers! A key in praying for this election is that we be guided by the Holy Spirit to hear what is on the Father’s heart for this next season in Queensland and that join with Jesus in seeing this fulfilled. Bob Beaudine in his book, “2 Chairs”, asked three disruptive questions: Question 1: Does God know your situation? Yes! Question 2: Is it too hard for Him to handle? No! Question 3: Does He have a good plan for you? Yes! The answer is asking God to reveal what is on His heart in answer to these. So, let’s take those questions and ask them in light of the state of Queensland. Question 1: Does God know what is happening in Queensland at this point in time? Yes! Question 2: Is it too hard for Him to handle? No! Question 3: Does God have a good plan for this state and it’s people? Yes! Then let’s join together in asking what is on the Father’s heart for this state and joining with Him to see that God’s plans and purposes be revealed in the government that leads this state and the people who live in Queensland. Why pray for elections?

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT) encourages us: I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. Praying for the electoral process is the first step in seeing the fulfillment of what Paul is writing to Timothy about.

1 Key points are:

1. The Bible commands us to pray for those who are in leadership, which would include those who are vying to become leaders.

2. Godly leaders can help slow the erosion of religious liberties in our land, providing an increased window of opportunity for the Church to pray and to evangelise.

3. The selection of leaders who understand and lead according to God’s righteous standards can bring great blessing to a nation (Proverbs 14:34)

4. Scripture also says, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisors.” (Proverbs 11:14).

The determination of who leads our state will also determine who advises that leader and how we are guided.

Here are seven major areas to pray through in relation to Queensland:

1. Our State and the Issues it faces a) Pray for the judges in our state, that they will seek the wisdom that comes from above. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17) b) Ask the Lord to thwart the efforts of those who would remove religious freedom from our state. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) c) Pray for the truth to be valued again in Queensland society. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) d) Pray that Queensland will increasingly see that God is our only refuge in the midst of the troubles in this world. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”(Psalm 46:1) e) Pray for our judicial system and lawmakers – that justice for all, tempered by mercy and compassion will guide Queensland. “This is what the Lord Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.” (Zechariah 7:9) f) Repent on behalf of our state, because we have turned from making Scriptures the basis of the law, leaving behind wisdom and instead, looking to ourselves for truth. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each one of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6) g) Ask the Lord to pour out a spirit of repentance on Queensland, that we might become a state committed to following His ways. “You will see me and find me when you see me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) h) Pray that Queensland will repent of its corporate rejection of the Word of God as the basis of law. “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make now to you my teachings.” (Proverbs 1:22-23) i) Pray that a holy fear of God will sweep across Queensland, leading us back to a place of wisdom and walking in the Lord. “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.” (Isaiah 50:10)

2 2. The Election Process a) Pray for wisdom for voters and a safe and fair election. “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgement and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.” (Proverbs 3:21-23) b) Ask the Lord to remove those who might try to unjustly and illegally change the outcome of the voting. “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail wills weep away your refuge, the life, and water will overflow your hiding place. “ (Isaiah 28:17) c) Pray for a huge turnout of voters who use wisdom in their decisions. “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.” (Proverbs 4:5-6) d) Pray for protection from any attacks from enemies that would prevent or delay the election. “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:22) e) Pray for Electoral Commission Queensland and their role to: deliver fair and transparent Queensland Elections, Increase electoral awareness and participation, continually improve the electoral services and ensure compliance with electoral funding and disclosure laws. Pray specifically for Pat Vidgen the Electoral Commissioner for Queensland and all his staff. Pray that the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom, knowledge and understanding, A spirit of counsel and of might, that he will have a reverential fear of God and be a man of quick understanding. (Isaiah 11:1-3)

For more information about the Queensland Electoral Commission go to: www.ecq.qld.gov.au.

3. Candidates and Leaders a) Pray for the salvation of those who are in leadership in Queensland. Ask the Lord to remove all envy and selfish ambition. “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16) b) Pray that candidates will take brave stands for righteousness, even when it may not be well received. “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” (Isaiah 7:9) c) Pray that their families will be protected from harm and unnecessary scrutiny. “You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honoured by the human race.” (Psalm 12:7-8) d) Ask the Lord to surround them with godly advisors. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” (Psalm 111:10) e) Pray that each candidate will focus on the issues we face as a State – and not on personal attacks on other candidates. “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:15)

There are currently 11 political parties registered in Queensland. They are:

Australian Labor party www.qld.alp.org.au Queensland Greens www.qld.greens.org.au Pauline Hanson’s One Nation www.onenation.org.au Liberal National Party of Queensland www.lnp.org.au Katter’s Australia Party www.kap.org.au Civil Liberties & Motorists Party www.no-tolls.org www.consumerrights.org.au Shooters, Fishers and Farms Party (QLD) www.shootersfishersandfarmers.org.au North Queensland First www.anumaljusticeparty.org Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party www.unitedaustraliaparty.org.au Informed Medical Options Party www.imoparty.com

3 Full details of all leaders and candidates for each of the parties will be available in the online community as we get closer to the election. In the meantime, you can see currently pre-selected candidates on the various political parties websites. Please continue to pray that the right candidates will run.

4. The Church a) Pray for a spirit of humility in the Church and an outreach toward those whom the Bible calls are least amongst us. (Matthew 25:40) b) Pray that the churches in Queensland will preach the gospel of Christ powerfully. (Romans 1:16) c) Thank the Lord for the freedom we have in Him and for the wisdom to understand that freedom. (Galatians 5:13) d) Pray for a spirit of consecration and holiness to come upon the Church in Queensland. (1 Peter 1:15) e) Pray for a spirit of compassion to come over the Church in Queensland so that we will begin seriously to live out the lifestyle of Jesus in our communities. (Phil. 2:1-4) f) As the Lord to help strengthen the trumpet call to intensive prayer, so that it is heard throughout the Church in Queensland. (1 Timothy 2:8) g) Ask the Lord to equip the church to rise up with a strong prophetic voice for Queensland. (Ephesians 6:19) h) Pray for a spirit of repentance to fall upon the Church in Queensland that would cause believers to turn back to God and seek him. (Psalm 53:2) i) Pray for a spirit of courage to rise up within the Church, a commitment to enduring whatever it takes to see the fulfillment of God’s purposes in Queensland. (1 Corinthians 16:13) j) Pray that the Church in Queensland will so noticeably live in Christ’s peace that His peace comes into the councils of our State. (Col. 3:15) k) Pray for a movement of the Spirit that creates cultural transformation in Queensland, bringing about a State that has learned to put its hope in the Word of God. (Romans 12:2) l) Ask the Lord to awaken the Church to the temporary nature of the nations and to eternal nature of the reign of God. (Psalm 37:20) m) Pray that courage born of wisdom will be given to Christians in places of leadership in government, the courts, and law schools across the nation so that they will stand for a godly basis of law. (Joshua 1:9)

5. Media

a) Pray for truth to be an established standard in our news media. (Psalm 45:4) b) Pray that media bias will be replaced by fairness. (Psalm 99:4) c) Ask that Christianity will receive fair coverage in all reports. (Proverbs 22:20-21) A list of key media to pray for is provided in the Online Community.

6. Spiritual Warfare a) Ask for great awareness and discernment as we pray over the election. (Ephesians 5:15-17) b) Pray for the physical protection for all candidates and their families throughout this campaign season. (Psalm 20:1) c) Beseech the Lord for a strong hedge of protection around Queensland during this time of decision. (Psalm 33:22)

4 7. Revival a) Pray for a great awakening to sweep across Queensland as the Lord’s people learn to humble themselves with a contrite spirit, and to tremble at the Word of the Lord. (Isaiah 66:2) b) Ask the Lord to bring revival to the church in Queensland. “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! For when. You did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 64:1-4) c) Pray for the preachers in Queensland to fearlessly proclaim the Word of God regarding sin and God’s love. (2 Timothy 4:1-3)

8. Specific Issues of Concern to Christians in this election a. Abortion legislation - the ALP introduced laws allowing abortion to birth for any reason. The LNP have promised a review of these laws in regards to gestational limits; mandatory counselling requirement; identifying abortion coercion. b. Gender Fluid education in State Schools - LNP's Shadow Education Minister, Jarrod Bleijie, has committed to remove all gender fluid education from Qld's school curriculum c. Euthanasia - part of the ALP platform to support euthanasia laws. LNP are promoting an increase in spending for palliative care rather than the introduction of euthanasia laws. d. The recent legislation which the ALP passed on conversion therapy was voted against by the LNP as a block. e. Removal of the influence of Freemasonry in politics in Queensland. f. Exposing the lies, particularly in relation to corruption amongst politicians. g. For clear domestic violence strategies.

More details as to key issues will be posted in the online community as the election unfolds.

9. Weekly Zoom Calls

In the lead up to the Queensland Election we will be hosting a Zoom Prayer Call on Thursday Nights from 7:30 pm to 9 pm.

The dates:

17 September 24 September 1 October 8 October 15 October 22 October 29 October (Election Date 31 October) Election Wrap up: 5 November

5 To join go to www.zoom.com Enter the meeting id: 990 5828 2300 Password: 631082

Details of special guests will be emailed out each week and available in the online community. In Conclusion

Prayer rarely stops after the “amen”. When we passionately cry out to God over any issues, we should, with integrity, also find ourselves praying, “And Lord, if there is any way You can use me to be an answer to this prayer, here I am.” When we pray for an election, simply honesty will then require us to follow up our prayer by actually voting and encouraging others to vote as well.

We do encourage you to join the online community for this Queensland election at www.prayerqldelection.com. There is a small investment of $17 to join the community. This helps us to offset the costs of the community and time allocated to building it. Any surplus funds will be donated to the National Day of Prayer & Fasting event in Brisbane next year February.

Can we encourage you to share this guide with others? Start a prayer group specifically for the election in your area, reach out to and support candidates in your local electorate that need your help on the group.

6 Acknowledgements:

1. This guide has been adapted from “How to Pray for the Upcoming Election” by Dave Butts. Further information about Dave Butts and his Ministry Revive Our Hearts can be found at: www.reviveourhearts.com 2. A Sacred Trust by Rev Dr Alistair Petrie is a recommended inter-active workbook for those seeking an in-depth study of the issues of the theology and stewardship of the land, revival, and transformation. www.partnershipministries.org 3. For further details about praying for our nation go to National Day of Prayer and Fasting www.nationaldayofprayer.org.au 4. Wendy Francis from Australian Christian Lobby 5. Teeshan Johnson from Cherish Life 6. Marilyn Rowsome for her awesome editing skills and input

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