National Day of Prayer and Fasting

National Day of Prayer and Fasting

Saturday 10 February 2018

Guidelines for Prayer

National Day of Prayer and Fasting

Saturday, 10 February 2018

Welcome

Welcome to the ‘House of God’ which for us here today is the public building, church hall or venue you are meeting in today. We welcome those who are joining us in your own church, prayer group or online via the webcast. We also welcome those who are joining us from other countries. Together in God we are making a difference.

Today is a National Day of Prayer and Fasting, a day to deny ourselves and delight in God. Today is a day to glorify JESUS, to welcome JESUS Christ as the King of Kings. JESUS prayed for us, JESUS prayed for the Church, JESUS prayed for Jerusalem and JESUS prayed for the world. We are here to follow JESUS’ example, “Who was raised to life and who is at the right hand of God and makes intercession for us” as it says in Romans 8:34.

We are here today to pray for an out pouring of the Holy Spirit and to intercede for Australia for a Christ awakening in every facet of society. We are also going to pray for those in authority as instructed in Timothy, in our Churches, our Christian leaders andour political leaders.

We will be praying the prayer of Jesus in John 17:21, “I pray that they will all be one just as you and I are one… so that the world will believe.” We will bepraying for forgiveness for the ‘scandal of disunity’ that has clouded the church in our nation. Disunity between denominations has been a reproach. Today we pray there will be a breaking down of walls and healing of disunity.

We will be also bepraying for the people of Australia to come to a knowledge of the truth and individuals to find Jesus Christ. We will be dividing our prayers today into six sections (found below) which we will pray through during the day. We invite you to join us.

Table of Contents

Introductionp. 3

Executive Summaryp. 4

Adoration, Worship & Thanksgivingp. 5
Repentancethe Keyto Revival & Transformation p. 6
Pray intothe Seven Spheres of Society p. 7
Pray for Leaders(Church & Government)p. 8
Prayer of Jesus - John 17 p. 15
Evangelism Explosion - Harvest Prayer Declarationp. 16
Australian 40 Day Prayer Relayp. 17
Prayer and Faith Fact Sheetp. 18
The Australia We Live to Seep. 20
History & Vision of the National Day of Prayer and Fastingp. 21
National Day of Prayer and Fasting Executive Teamp. 23
Sponsors and Contributorsp. 25

National Day of Prayer and Fasting

Saturday, 10 February 2018

Introduction

Welcome to the wonderful experience of walking with God in prayer for our nation. True intercession is finding out what is on the heart of God and praying it into being. Our desire this year is to see what is on God’s heart for our nation become a reality here on earth. The bible gives us the picture of Gods heart.

This year the National Day of Pray and Fasting key focus for the day is JESUS. The theme scripture for 2018 is1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Today we pray that the “lamb who was slain would receive a reward for His Suffering.” Today we are praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that we can be empowered to share the good news of JESUS with everyone.

The foundational goal of the National Day of Prayer and Fasting is Revival and Transformation for Australia and for churches to grow and for people to find Christ as their Lord and Saviour. We must begin this endeavour in prayer, hence the reason we are calling the nation to come together and pray and fast on Saturday, 10 February 2018and then to continue in a40 Day Prayer & Worship Relay from 14 February to the 25March.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 says: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

It is time to see this verse come into reality for our nation! The simple fact is that if each church-attending believer brought one person to Christ in one year and discipled them we could double the Australian church in one year. At that rate, we could win Australia for Christ in 4 years! Exponential growth is powerful.

The purpose of this prayer guide is to give you a basic outline and help guide your prayers on the day. Of outmost importance, though is that as a group you take time to listen to what is on God’s heart for our nation and your region and to pray that into being. Feel free to make any adjustments you need to make.

A key part of our prayer time is extravagant worship, or worship focused on the greatness of God, God’s authority, and the fact that God rules and reigns. We start the day with thanksgiving and end the day by joining together in a Declaration that JESUS is Lord.From the point of allocation of time for this 6-hour period we encourage you to make a rough allocation of one third prayer, one third worship and one third scripture reading or sharing around the word.

We would appreciate if you could share any insights or testimonies from your time of prayer so that we can keep a record of what God is doing in our nation. These can be emailed through to:

Most of all prayer is an exciting journey with God. We would encourage you to develop a lifestyle of prayer and intercession.

God bless you as you pray.

Warwick Marsh,Ps Mellissa & Peter Haigh, Sue Tinworth, Wesley Leake, Commissioner James Condon, Dr Tim O’Neill, Ursula Whiteand Ps Peter Walker.

National Day of Prayer and Fasting and 40 Day Prayer Relay ExecutiveTeam

For more information visit the website

National Day of Prayer and Fasting

Saturday, 10 February 2018

Executive Summary

Our key focus for the day is JESUS. The theme scripture for 2018 is1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Today we pray that the “lamb who was slain would receive a reward for His Suffering.” Today we are praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that we can be empowered to share the good news of JESUS with everyone. The foundational goal of the National Day of Prayer and Fasting is Revival and Transformation for Australia, for churches to grow and people to find Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Adoration, Worship & Thanksgiving

The first session begins by welcoming JESUS the King of Kings and Lord of Lords into our gathering. Key Scripture: Psalm 24:7. Say the Lord’s Prayer together: Matt 6:9-18. We enter his Gates with Thanksgiving: Psalm 100:4. Encourage the children to pray and lead: Matt 18:3. We also ask you to honour Indigenous leaders and ask them to be part of the day: Romans 12:10. Pray for the persecuted, Hebrews13:3, Pray peace and a blessing over Jerusalem and Israel. Psalm 122:6

Repentance the Key to Revival and Transformation

We need to be hungry for God. We need to be hungry for righteousness and we need to humble ourselves. We will ask God to reveal specific areas to repent of personally, that the church needs to repent of and that we need to repent of on behalf of our nation. It is important for us to walk in forgiveness. Prayer is always the starting point, and repentance the foundation for Revival and Transformation. Key Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Matt 5:6.

Pray into the Seven Spheres of Society

Religion, Family, Education, Government, Media, Arts & Entertainment, and Business. To understand our Christian History causes faith to rise in us and empowers our prayers. Australia’s secular society is moving us further and further away from our Godly roots. That is why we must pray that Revival and Transformation will take place in each of these spheres so that we can live in peace and prosperity. Key Scriptures: Proverbs 14:34, Psalm 112, Psalm 37.

Pray for Leaders (Church & Government)

We will pray for each of the leaders and those in authority in our nation in all the seven spheres. Included in our guide is a list of all the federal parliamentarians so that you can pray for them by name. Pray also for your State MPs and Local Council leaders. Pray that our governmental leaders will have a revelation of JESUS and His love for them. We will also pray for local and regional church leaders, including those key church leaders listed in this document. Pray and honour Indigenous Leaders. Pray for young Godly leaders to arise in the church and in all facets of society. Please use resource info. Key scriptures: 1 Timothy 2:2, Colossians 1:9-14; Ephesians 3:14-21; Isaiah 11:2-3

Prayer of Jesus - John 17

Oneness in Christ releases the Gospel. Many are offended by the disunity and enmity amongst Christians and between the different denominations. So we want to celebrate our Unity in Christ with a focus on repentance for the hurt caused by church leaders to each other. This will further release the Gospel, Ephesians 4:13; John 17:23; Psalm 133:1

6. Evangelism Explosion - Harvest Prayer Declaration

We are praying “to the Lord of the harvest to thrust out the labourers into His harvest field.” Revival and Transformation comes to hearts that are ready and consecrated and hungry for JESUS. Hearts that delight themselves in the Lord and in His Word. We are praying for Australians to receive JESUS as their Lord and Saviour and see their lives and relationships restored and healed. We are praying for millions to find Christ. Thank you for praying for our nation of Australia! Matt 9:38, John 3:16, Mark 16:15-20.

1. Adoration, Worship & Thanksgiving

Worship led by Worship Band One

Psalm 100

1. Shout for joy to theLord, all the earth.

2.Worship theLordwith gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

3.Know that theLordis God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4.Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

5.For theLordis good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 150

1. Praise theLord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

2. Praise him for his acts of power;

praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

praise him with the harp and lyre,

4. Praise him with timbrel and dancing,

praise him with the strings and pipe,

5. Praise him with the clash of cymbals,

praise him with resounding cymbals.

6. Let everything that has breath praise theLord.

Praise theLord.

Let us together welcome JESUS the King of Kings and Lord of Lords today. Key Scripture: Psalm 24:7.

We will say the Lord’s Prayer together: Matthew 6:9-18.

Statement for National Day of Prayer and Fasting

PREAMBLE: Saturday, 10 February 2018is the National Day of Prayer and Fasting. Individuals and churches are encouraged to gather together in unity and to participate in the day in a way they feel is best appropriate.We encourage you allow the children to pray and lead as much as possible throughout the day. Matt 18:3. We also ask you to honour Indigenous leaders and ask them to be part of the day: Romans 12:10. Let us remember to pray for the persecuted church, Hebrews13:3, Let us also pray for peace and for blessings over Jerusalem and Israel. Psalm 122:6

To observe the day, church leaders are invited to collaborate with other churches and church leaders from different denominations and so fulfil the words of Jesus found in John 17:21. “I prayer that they will be one, just as you and I are one… so that the world will believe…” So, read this statement, use these Scripture readings and say the written prayers or use your own extemporaneous prayers in your celebrations or in prayer meetings being held for the National Day of Prayer and Fasting. How you celebrate the day is totally up to you.

STATEMENT: Our key focus for the day is to exalt JESUS and pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as found in Acts chapter two so that we can be empowered to share the good news of JESUS with everyone. The foundational goal of the National Day of Prayer and Fasting is Revival and Transformation for Australia and for churches to grow and for people to find Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

Today we are praying and fasting together that JESUS will be exalted, and God will pour out His Spirit on Australia. It is His Spirit that revives both us as individuals and the broader church. Then out of a revived Church we are prayingfor millions of souls to be saved so the Lamb may receive a reward for his suffering.

2. Repentance the Key to Revival & Transformation

Worship led by Worship Band Two

Jesus said “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31).

True repentance is more than talk. It is a change in our attitudes and actions that do not please God. It is a complete turning away from any wickedness in our lives - individually or collectively, and even as a nation.

We also read that Jesus denounced “the cities in which most of His miracles were performed because they did not repent” (Matthew 11:20). He said that they should have “repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Luke 5:21). To the Church in Laodicea, the risen Lord Jesus said, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent” (Revelation 3:19). Let us therefore examine ourselves. Let us check if we have been faithful in keeping His commands, following in His steps, and sharing His message of salvation with others.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If 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”

Loving Heavenly Father,

We know we have sinned and fallen short in many ways. We ask that in Your mercy You would forgive us. Cleanse us and heal us of our sin and consume us with your Holy Fire. Rekindle in us a love for You and for Jesus Your Son. Breathe upon us we pray, and ignite our hearts to honour your Holy Word. Bring upon us deep conviction of sin and spiritual brokenness. Stir within us a holy fear of You so that we would genuinely continue to repent of everything that is displeasing to You. In the great and glorious Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Some suggested prayer points (You may have others) for our churches and society are:

In the ChurchIn Our Society

the disunity in our churchesthe increase of crime in our land

our prayerlessness and worldly pursuitsthe use and abuse of alcohol and drugs

our lukewarmness and lack of zealthe lack of moral character in our leaders

our indifference to the commands of Jesusthe moral rottenness in the media

carelessness and neglect of the Word of Godrampant immorality and sexual impurity

the love of money and hedonistic lifestylesshedding of innocent blood through abortion

the breakdown of marriages and familiesthe abuse and sexualisation of children

Heavenly Father,

We have humbled ourselves and have confessed our sin. In repentance we look to You for forgiveness. By Your Word and by Your Spirit cleanse us and purify our hearts. Help us to be true followers of Jesus, Your Son. Show us the way You want us to live and be Your people in this land. Heal our nation! Pour out Your Spirit like a mighty purifying flood. Revive us! Awaken our hearts and burden our hearts to see the Name of Jesus lifted high over this nation – the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit. Give us Revival In the mighty and majestic Name of Jesus we pray. Amen

3. Pray into the Seven Spheres of Society

Worship Led by Worship Band 3

Praying for the Seven Spheres of Society

To truly transform any nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, these seven spheres of society must be reached:Religion, Family, Education, Government, Media, Arts & Entertainment, and Business. Australia’s secular society is moving us further and further away from our Godly roots. That is why we must pray that revival and transformation will take place in each of these spheres. Please interpose your local prayer requests as they pertain to the Seven Spheres of society as well. Key Scriptures: Psalm 112, Psalm 37.