Rowan Thambar shares his reflections on praying for our city on a cold Sunday night in May.
As we walked through our city in groups of 3–4, we committed everything we saw, heard and felt to God in prayer. It was awesome to be led by the Spirit as we let the scenes of the city inspire our prayers. From consumerism and advertising, to the church of Scientology, we gave it all to Jesus and asked that he would have his perfect way in Sydney. We prayed in some specific locations that represent some of the pressing needs of our city.
Martin Place: The Media
We stood outside Channel 7 while they filmed the Sunday evening news and prayed for those working in our nation’s media. We prayed that they might produce content that was true, unbiased and not filled with fear. That they wouldn’t silence the marginalised groups of our community. We prayed for Christians that work in the media industry, that they might be a light in the entertainment industry.
State Parliament and Courthouse: The Policy-makers
We prayed for those that have been appointed to govern and lead this city, this state and this country. We asked God to use those that work in the courthouses and those that judge, for justice and to protect the marginalised and disenfranchised.
Oxford Street: LGBTI Community, the Sex Industry and Sydney’s Youth
We prayed for the LGBTI Community, that they might know the real and tangible love of God. A love that is far greater and more satisfying than anything this world has to offer. We prayed for those that work and take part in Sydney’s sex industry, that the physical love they seek would be satisfied through the Holy Spirit’s work in them. We also brought the youth of Sydney before God, praying for those caught up in the drug and party scene, that they might find life, purpose and hope in Jesus.
Hunter & Bligh: The Church
A team walked to the place where Richard Johnson preached the first Christian message in Australia on 3 February 1788. They committed the churches in Sydney to the Lord, asking that he would bring unity to his body and give wisdom to those leading churches. We prayed that together we’d be an incredible presence in this city, for Jesus’ glory!
As those on mission for Jesus, it is our God-appointed task to commit the people in our city to Jesus and be interceding on their behalf. We are fighting a war! Not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
Be bold Church, the Holy Spirit is within us! Keep praying and believing that God will transform this city, so that on the day of his return he can bring his children home.