The long journey of praying for Victoria |
Like many around the world in recent years we have had to stand together in God for what is Righteous and True, for mercy for our people and grace for our shortfalls and deep sins, historically and currently.
From the beginning of Pray4Victoria (mid 2020) God insisted that we pray with love for our government, the police and the others who persecuted us. We were called to fix our eyes on the One who had our solution and restoration, worshipping God gratefully with High Praise.
On four occasions we gathered with representatives from our 79 local government areas across Victoria, to repent before God, bless each municipality and the First Nations people who were originally on each area of land, to worship God and to ask the Lord what He wanted us to Decree and Declare !
We have prayed with honour for our government for years, standing on the State Parliament Steps, prayer walking around that block and in our weekly zoom calls.
We have prayed for the repentance and salvation and renewal of our Premiers and leaders. We have left all judgement in God’s hands. He is our defender.
Psalm 33:4-5 For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
We have cried out for Righteousness & Justice.
Justice is lawfulness, fairness, equity, just behaviour or treatment or action, a concern for justice, peace and genuine respect for people, the quality of being fair and reasonable, the administration of the law and authority in maintaining this..
Justice comes in many forms including:
Distributive Justice (determining who gets what)
Procedural Justice (determining how fairly people are treated)
Retributive Justice (based on punishment for wrong-doing)
Restorative Justice (which tries to restore relationships to “rightness.”)
Source: Beyond Intractability
We still pray for God’s redemptive justice for Victoria and for the eyes of our fellow citizens to be open to God’s way when we vote. We have brought guidance to prayer for State elections in 2014, 2022, now 28 November 2026. See links below.
James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
| Dan Andrews Unmasked: A New Book by Geoff Shaw Description: Victoria, Australia’s second most populated state, has suffered unprecedented governance of seemingly relentless, drastic and stringent laws which has put at risk the viability and survival of the state and its people. Under these laws, the leader of Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews has taken Victoria’s capital Melbourne, from being the World’s most liveable city to the World’s most locked-down city. This book unmasks the man, his government, and his policies, and what has transpired in the state of Victoria since he was in position.  Love Your Neighbour and Your Brother. Enmity destroys Love. To prepare us to pray for Victoria, the Holy Spirit has invited us to examine our hearts for enmity. Enmity suggests ill will or true hatred, either overt or concealed hatred – typically mutual. It is a state or feeling of active opposition or hostility – which implies strong, open enmity that shows itself in attacks or aggression. Enmity aligns us with the accuser of the brethren, the father of lies (John 8:44) who comes to deceive, kill steal and destroy. Enmity is deadly because it cuts off our communication and destroys relationships. Yet enmity can be an unconscious impulse or prejudice arising from distrust and unforgiveness which can be based on disappointment and judgement caused by misinformation, inadequate understanding or unrealistic expectations. Enmity takes us on a path away from the One who commands us to love and not to judge (Matthew 7:1-2, John 7:24, John 5:30)  The Journey from Enmity to Love On the journey from enmity to love, we rely on the forgiveness, hope, faith and strength given to us by Jesus, who bears our burdens. Matthew 18:11 “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” The word lost means “broken beyond repair.” His Word and Spirit are light to guide our steps – so we can get passed the anguish of deception, accusation, hatred, dishonour, murder, stealing and destruction that enmity entangles us in. His Truth sets us free to see an alternative perspective – from God or others acknowledge the truth – and the cost of enmity – express our regret and repentance by acknowledging what we have done wrong, apologising and making things right, forgive, listen to and know the other person, restore levels of trust and relationship, respect and honour, receiving the gift of who the other person is love as we have been loved by God. Remind Yourself what Love Looks Like Romans 12:9-21 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed Him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 1 Peter 3:8-12 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For “He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil; and his lips from speaking evil. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him speak peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  Lord forgive us – for we know not what we do. And lead us into righteousness for Your Name’s sake. May our world know Your love through our love for our brothers and neighbours. We founded Pray4Victoria to be Light in Darkness. The darkness is still increasing but so is the resonant glory of God in His sons and daughter bringing glory to our Father! PIPES Strategy: Reflections, Scriptures and Prayers from Victoria that impact Australia and its Federal Elections PIPES Strategy: How to Pray for the Victorian Elections, Councils & State & Federal Electorates PIPES Strategy: Pray4Victoria Prayer Watch for Neighbourhood and Elections PIPES: Pray for Victorian Elections: Parts 1-6 with hope, faith and love, Sue Tinworth & Pray4Victoria team PIPES: Partners in Prayer & Evangelism sue@partnersinprayer.org.au www.partnersinprayer.org.au |