Churches across Australia are being urged to take part in a national day of celebration of marriage.
The day – to be held on Sunday, 9th August – is being promoted as the conclusion to 21 days of prayer and fasting “for a miracle for marriage” which has been organised by a range of groups including the people behind the National Day of Prayer and Fasting (NDOPF) held each February and the Australian Prayer Network.
The cover of the prayer plan and devotional guide to accompany the 21 days of prayer and fasting.
More than 10,000 Christians from various denominations are believed to be taking part in the 21 day event, which kicked off on 20th July, using a prayer plan and devotional guide found on the NDOPF website.
The event comes amid expectation a cross-party bill legalising same-sex marriage will be introduced to Federal Parliament after it resumes in August. The bill is expected to be moved by Liberal MP Warren Entsch and seconded by Labor MP Terri Butler. It follows the introduction of a private member’s bill aimed at legalising same-sex marriage by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten on 1st June.
Warwick Marsh, one of the organisers of the prayer event, said that, in light of recent moves legalising same-sex marriage in countries including the US and Ireland, Australia remains the “one Western nation, English-speaking nation which holds onto marriage as between a man and a woman and holds on to that sanctity and that beauty of marriage”.
“I believe it’s a miracle of prayer that we have got this far,” he said. “So it’s a miracle of prayer that we go on – because really we need the grace of God, we need the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and a revival/transformation/reformation.”
While the issue of same-sex marriage is a “litmus issue”, Mr Marsh said the push to change the definition of marriage is a symptom of a society that has “forgotten God”. But he added that he didn’t believe the change was inevitable. “Nothing is inevitable and with God nothing is impossible.”
Mr Marsh said the starting point for those praying is to come before God in repentance. “We’ve got to first of all start with ourselves and pull the log out of our own eye before we start pulling splinters out of other people’s eyes and say God ‘Forgive us, cleanse us, renew us’. That’s the starting point…”
Brian Pickering, national coordinator of the Australian Prayer Network, said Australia was at a “very important crossroads” with regard to marriage.
“This 21 day season of prayer and fasting gives us all an opportunity to cry out to God for our nation and to awaken the hearts and minds of Christians everywhere to the urgency of the hour,” he said. “If we lose this battle, the ramifications will last for generations.”
The event also has the support of the Australian Christian Lobby. Managing director Lyle Shelton said this is a “critical time in our nation”.
“Social justice for children is on the line,” he said. “Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are too. Please be praying over the next 21 days.”
~ www.nationaldayofprayer.com.au
