Hi Saints – Don’t Miss Out on this Amazing Conference – Church and Cultural Challenges!!
MESSAGE FROM CINDY MCGARVIE, NATIONAL DIRECTOR YOUTH FOR CHRIST RE ABOVE CONFERENCE
I’m looking forward to the conference in July! In my session, I’ll be presenting a perspective on what I see happening within our culture in regard to our children and young people — a battle for their very souls.
There is a term known as ‘the fog of war’ and it refers to the situation when a military suddenly finds itself in a battle where they have no idea of the location and capability of the enemy, nor the location and capabilities of friendlies. The solution to this is to quickly gather intelligence so that you know what to do. Intelligence reduces the ‘fog of war’—it helps to sort out the truth.
My goal is to provide some valuable intelligence for the spiritual battle that has been intensifying rapidly to equip Christian leaders and parents to fight for our children. ………. See flier below for Cindy’s photo and bio. She has also authored amazing books as well as being on the frontline of the battle for our children and youth. Books are Jesus Revolution: Real and Radical, Lost Boys: Bring Them Home, and The Next Revolution.
CALLING WARRIORS, HEROES, AND MIGHTY MEN & WOMEN OF VALOUR LIKE GIDEON & ESTHER TO CANBERRA 27-29 JULY LIFESTREAM CHURCH FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
You can register for the conference on Eventbrite and day regos are now available – bit.ly/440qyGA
Prayer for a great deliverance and removing the veil of secrecy by Ps Norman Miller
If you would like to see more on the vision of this conference and generally about the Culture War Against the Church READ
4 Visions and 2 of Angels – Message by Ps Barbara Miller to Canberra Declaration re Church and Cultural Challenges Conference Canberra 27-29 July. The Lord has been speaking to her about the need for angelic intervention.
Barbara is blessed to be speaking at a Southern Cross Alliance for Israel event by zoom on 27 June at 7.30pm along with special guest, David Rubin, the former mayor of Shiloh, Samaria, Israel. To join in, contact John Lockwood – southerncrossallianceforisrael@gmail.com
ALL CHRISTIANS WHO LOVE ISRAEL ARE INVITED TO THIS SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A SHABBAT MEAL AND HEAR FROM GIFTED MESSIANIC JEWISH PASTORS FROM ISRAEL. IT IS CO-HOSTED BY INDIGENOUS FRIENDS OF ISRAEL WHICH IS OPEN TO NON-INDIGENOUS AS WELL.
Don’t forget about the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast (JPB) 3-4 July in the Gold Coast and after events in Cairns 5 July and Townsville 6 July. For JPB contact https://jpbaustralia.com/ .
For the events in Cairns and Townsville, contact Matthew Chivers – mchivers.au@bridgesforpeace.com.
Norman Miller of Indigenous Friends of Israel will be one of the inspirational speakers in Cairns and possibly at other events.
Norman and Barbara will be in the Gold Coast 30 June to 5 July for anyone wanting to catch up with us for ministry or just a coffee and chat. Ph 0466076020.
Hi Saints – Don’t Miss Out on this Amazing Conference – Church and Cultural Challenges!!
Rise up mighty men and women of valour just like Gideon when the Lord allowed the Midianites to oppress Israel because they did evil in the Lord’s eyes. When they cried out to the Lord, he chose Gideon to save them.
Judges 6:12 “And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor! ..v14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
The NIV says “mighty warrior” and the NLT says “mighty hero.”
Gideon basically said, Who me, I can’t do it? And the angel basically said, Yes you because I will be with you.
v15-16 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
We have done evil in the sight of the Lord in Australia but the Lord is raising up men like Gideon who are brave enough to make a stand, tear down idols and fight.
Also, the Lord is raising women like Esther who have come into position for such a time as to stand before the authorities to plead a just case. The Lord is calling us to free our people from the ensnarement of the anti-Christian culture we live in. We can’t do it but we can be the Lord’s hands and feet, eyes and voice as He calls and enables.
CALLING WARRIORS, HEROES, AND PEOPLE OF VALOUR TO CANBERRA 27-29 JULY LIFESTREAM CHURCH
You can register for the conference on Eventbrite and early bird regos expire on 12 June but we will extend to 16 June – bit.ly/440qyGA
If you would like to see more on the vision of this conference and generally about the Culture War Against the Church READ
Why do you need to come to Canberra?
There is intolerance of Christian views and freedom of speech and association in the public square. They would not dare to do this to other religions. Discrimination against Christians in the workplace, schools, sports etc.
The ACT government’s forced takeover of the Calvary hospital in Canberra because of its pro-life stand. This threatens faith-run hospitals and schools across the nation setting a precedent
“The right of parents to educate their children in accordance with their religious beliefs in Australia has been dealt a serious blow with the release of the Australian Law Reform Commission’s consultation paper,” says the Human Rights Law Alliance. (https://www.hrla.org.au/alrc_pushes_to_axe_religious_freedom_protections)
Hundreds of babies who survive abortion are left to die without medical attention which is a disgrace. Some MPS have put forward the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2022. The Canberra Declaration recently gave verbal evidence and presented over 90,000 signatories in support of the Bill to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Inquiry.
MP Moira Deeming has been vilified and expelled from the Victorian Liberal Party room for standing up for women’s spaces in toilets and sports etc.
The voice referendum is looking to enshrine in the Australian constitution group rights in a new chapter that is based on race/Indigeneity/ heredity which would create two classes of citizens. We currently have chapters for the 3 tiers of government – the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary so this will change how our nation is governed. However, we need to Close the Gap of Indigenous disadvantage and recognize Indigenous people in the constitution which can be done without the voice which would be entrenched in the constitution with details to be worked out after the public vote.
Federal government policies that promote the religion of climate change are destroying our fossil fuel industry and driving up the cost of living causing poverty, people to lose their homes and businesses, divorce, and mental health issues
The youth in our nation have so many challenges as the Judeo-Christian values in our nation have been challenged and mocked. The media and entertainment industry is complicit in much of this.
And much more!
JUDAH MUST GO FIRST SO WE HAVE 4 HOURS NON-STOP WORSHIP ON THE FIRST NIGHT AND STRATEGIC PRAYER! SEEK THE LORD AND PUT HIM FIRST!
HAVE A PRAYER NEED? LET US KNOW
THE MOST AMAZING VIDEOS ON ISRAEL, PRAYER, WORSHIP, THE APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC AND MUCH MORE – AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!!! BE BLESSED!!!
4 Hours of nonstop worship at Church & Cultural Challenges Conference Canberra 27-29 July
Shirley Miller, Barbara Miller, Norman Miller, Colleen Burfitt and Thomas Miller
Blessings to all our wonderful readers!!! A lot is happening but God is in control no matter what we see around us. Nevertheless, we need to discern the times (Matt 16:2-4) and, as 1 Peter 3:15 says: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
Church & Cultural Challenges Conference Interview of Barbara Miller with Neil Johnson Vision Christian Radio 30/5/23. The early bird rego for this conference ends on 12 June. Neil asked Barbara about the Voice Referendum as well. See https://reconciliationandpeace.org/events/2023-conference/
IFI – expressing the voice of Indigenous people, the First Nations voice, in support of Israel through education and advocacy
PATH TO TREATY ACT QLD
THIS STORY WAS BREAKING NEWS AT THE TIME AS I WROTE IT BEFORE THIS LEGISLATION PASSED THE QLD PARLIAMENT – Queensland’s Treaty Law has had an astonishing dream run. But can it last? By Barbara Miller The Spectator 13 May 2023 SEE HERE
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 27-June 3 – National Reconciliation Week with the theme – Be A Voice for Generations. Ps Norman usually opens proceedings in Cairns with a prayer and we host some activities. We can give you some snippets next newsletter.
July 3-4 – Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Gold Coast with hosts from the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
July 5-6 – The Israeli Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Amir Maimon, will then come to Cairns and Townsville and we are involved along with SCAFI, Bridges for Peace, CFI, ICEJ, Beersheba Vison, Kingdom Builders, Olive Tree Travel and local churches in each city in this event. This is in our role as the founders of the Indigenous Friends of Israel and founders of the Centre for International Reconciliation and Peace. These events will bring together Jews and Christians. Norman will share for 10 mins.
This event is about Jews and Christians standing together to celebrate Israel’s 75 years as a nation reborn.
July – Also wonderful friends from Malaysia, Pastors Abraham and Joy Tan will be visiting us. Stay posted
Aug 18-20 – Shabbat and Indigenous Friends of Israel conference in Cairns with Pastors Avi and Chaya Mizrachi from Israel (see above)
HAVE A PRAYER NEED? LET US KNOW
THE MOST AMAZING VIDEOS ON ISRAEL, PRAYER, WORSHIP, THE APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC AND MUCH MORE – AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!!! BE BLESSED!!!
INVITE TO SHABBAT MEAL & CONFERENCE – FROM JERUSALEM TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH (Actually Tel Aviv to Cairns) Hosted by Indigenous Friends of Israel & CFIRP
UPDATE TO CHURCH & CULTURAL CHALLENGES CONFERENCE LIFESTREAM CHURCH CANBERRA 27-29 JULY. EARLY BIRD RUNS OUT 12 JUNE. REGISTER NOW & DON’T MISS OUT! Announcing our final speaker, Christian lawyer Daniel Simon from the Human Rights Law Alliance. See the update of P4 of the flier
May 14 was the 417th anniversary of the decree over the South Lands of the Holy Spirit by Ferdinand de Quiros. If you would like to read about his amazing journey to get to Vanuatu and the story of what took place on the day and island he made the declaration then read about it in my book The European Quest to Find Terra Australis Incognita: Quiros, Torres and Janszoon. See https://barbara-miller-books.com/
If you would like to know how to write decrees and how decrees can change your nation, see Barbara’s book Decrees and Dangerous Prayers: 7 steps we can use to change our nation or community. There is a special deal at https://reconciliationandpeace.org/
Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks, is a major Jewish holiday and Biblical feast that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan. In the Bible, Shavuot marked the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel. It is celebrated worldwide by Jews and Christians who are aware of the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. This year it is celebrated from sundown 25 May 2023 – sundown 27 May. As well as celebrating it in our Tabernacle of David on Sat 27 May at 4pm, Norman and Barbara will be sharing by zoom for the Pentecost Sunday service for Ps Jack Yeo and Emmanuel Blessings Christian Centre in Sydney with their service starting at 9.30am. Contact us if you are interested in joining in either service.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 25-27 – Shavuot or Feast of Weeks
May 27 – National Day of Prayer and Fasting – see Canberra Declaration https://canberradeclaration.org.au/
May 27-June 3 – National Reconciliation Week with the theme – Be A Voice for Generations. Ps Norman usually opens proceedings in Cairns with a prayer and we host some activities.
May 28 – Pentecost Sunday, Pastors Norman and Barbara Miller will be speaking by zoom for Ps Jack Yeo, Emmanuel Blessings Christian Centre, Sydney
July 3-4 – Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Gold Coast with hosts from the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. The Israeli Ambassador will then come to Cairns and we are involved along with SCAFI, Bridges for Peace , and other Christian ministries that support Israel, in this event in our role as the founders of the Centre for International Reconciliation and Peace and the founders of the Indigenous Friends of Israel. Norman will share for 10 mins. https://indigenousfriendsofisrael.org/
July – Also wonderful friends from Malaysia, Pastors Abraham and Joy Tan will be visiting us. Stay posted
HAVE A PRAYER NEED? LET US KNOW
THE MOST AMAZING VIDEOS ON ISRAEL, PRAYER, WORSHIP, THE APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC AND MUCH MORE – AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!!! BE BLESSED!!!
We want to extend our blessings to all our wonderful readers. God bless you!!! And Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers, including spiritual mothers!!! As we have our service on Saturdays, we already celebrated Mother’s Day yesterday with a wonderful event at our church with worship, communion, an amazing meal with amazing decorations by Norman’s sisters – Colleen, Lilian, Deborah and Joanne. We even had Bible quizzes on mothers and crafts to add some fun to the occasion. Who said church is boring? Not around here!
Israel Events
April 25-26 – In 2023, Yom Haatzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) was from sundown on April 25 to sundown on April 26. The major State Ceremony took place on the eve of Yom Haatzmaut at Mount Herzl, Israel’s National Ceremony in Jerusalem. This event marked the end of Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s memorial day, commemorating their fallen.
May 7-28 – 21 Prayers for Israel and Isaiah 62 Fast led by Mike Bickle and the International House of Prayer Kansas City. It is estimated that 5 million Christians worldwide are praying for Israel at this time. The judicial crisis in Israel has caused great unrest and division as the government tries to find the right balance between the powers of judiciary and the legislature. Also, Israel is surrounded by hostile states. CLICK HERE to get the 21 prayers.
May 9 to current – Following the death by hunger strike in prison of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader, there have been over 1,000 rockets fired at Israeli citizens killing one woman and injuring others. David’s Sling, Israel’s defence system, is intercepting most missiles. Israel has counteracted by the targeted killing of 6 Palestinian Jihad terrorist leaders (Iran’s proxy). Unfortunately, as they use civilians as human shields, there has been some collateral damage, The ALP Australian government is planning to increase funding to the Palestinian Authority, so Australian taxpayers will be supporting terrorism whether they want to or not.
May 14 – Israel’s independence was declared on May 14, 1948 — the day when David ben Gurion officially read the Proclamation of the Establishment of the State of Israel.. Happy 75th birthday Israel.
May 15 – May 151948, the first day of Israeli Independence and exactly one year after United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) was established,Arab armies invaded Israel and the first Arab-Israeli war began. The fledgling Israel state managed to miraculously win and Arabs have called this Nakba Day. The United Nations will stage a high-level special meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Nakba – the mass displacement of around 750,000 Palestinians from their homeland in 1948. Many forget that the same number of Jews were displaced from Arab lands at the same time. However, Israel gave them a home while the Arab nations rejected the Palestinians to keep the war going.
Prophetic Word & Decree – Hear the Call of the Voice of the Lord and the Call to Gather in Canberra by Ps Norman Miller
Made on 1 April – A prophetic call to gather in Canberra 27-29 July at Lifestream Church for the Church and Cultural Challenges Conference hosted by the Centre for International Reconciliation and Peace and the Tabernacle of David Cairns. It is a call to deep intercession, the harp and bowl ministry and to bring a cultural shift in our nation to Biblical values. Sound the shofar and hear the roar of the Lion of the tribe of Judah. See more on
Don’t miss this amazing conference 27-29 July at Lifestream Christian Fellowship, 152 Langdon Ave, Wanniassa, Canberra. Speakers are Cindy McGarvie, National Director Youth for Christ, Dr Graham McLennan, founder National Alliance of Christian Leaders, Ps Peter Walker, founder Australian Indigenous Christian Ministries, David Jack, an arts and media expert, and by video, former Senator Amanda Stoker. We will start with 4 hours of worship as we seek the Lord for His purposes in strategic prayer for our nation. There is a strong effort to remove the church from the public square and impose worldly values on the church restricting our religious freedom.
We have issues of political correctness, identity politics, and much more. Come and help bring a shift to our nation. Gal 3:28 says: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Enormous cultural changes challenge our Christian faith. We need strategic prayer, worship, and to give a reason for our faith 1 Peter 3:15. We need the anointing of Isaachar to know the times and seasons and what Israel and the church should do.
We have a prayer group for the conference with Christians from around Australia fortnightly by zoom and amazing revelation is coming forth.
You can register for the conference on Eventbrite and early bird regos expire on 12 June – bit.ly/440qyGA
If you would like to see more on the vision of this conference and generally about the Culture War Against the Church READ
People Pleasers or God Pleasers: the Church and Cultural Challenges by Ps Barbara Miller
Left – Interim Truth-Telling and Treaty Board (ITTB) – Ray Rosendale, Cheryl Buchanan, Aaron Fa’aoso, and Dr Sallyanne Atkinson, Cairns 9.5.23, Right – Barbara Miller and Cheryl Buchanan, Co-chair ITTB Cairns 9.5.23
PATH TO TREATY
Path to Treaty legislation passed in Cairns as the Qld Parliament met in Cairns 9-11 May. It will establish a Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry and a Treaty Institute. Barbara wrote an article for The Spectator which came out today 13 May though it was written the previous week.
Norman and Barbara and other Miller family members and community leaders were invited to a breakfast with the Premier, MPs and the ITTB on 11 May to commemorate the passing of the legislation.
Traditional owner, Seith Fourmile, called out Barbara Miller and a few other key workers for Indigenous advancement including Norman’s father and mother. Co-chair of the ITTB, Cheryl Buchanan, singled out Barbara for having worked as long as Cheryl had – 53 years – for Indigenous advancement. At an earlier ITTB workshop on 9 May, Seith honoured Barbara and Norman, and Cheryl honoured Barbara remembering her as the “young Christian girl” who had stood with them at the tent embassy in Canberra in 1971.
VOICE REFERENDUM
Hardly surprising that The Weekend Australian May 13-14 said on its front page, “Australians will be asked to vote for an Indigenous voice to Parliament and executive government after a Labor-dominated parliamentary committee endorsed Anthony Albanese’s proposed constitutional amendment without change, deepening the political battle over the referendum process.
The Liberals and Nationals – who made up less than a third of the committee members – issued dissenting reports on Friday attacking as insufficient the six-week timeframe given to the inquiry.” They said there should have been a constitutional convention to iron out drafting issues.
Former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott was denied the opportunity to make a verbal submission to the Inquiry until he went to the media and they relented and gave him a grilling over his opposition to the Voice. Ps Norman Miller was similarly denied a hearing though he put his name down to speak before the inquiry hearing in Cairns and waited all day to give evidence. Instead, he put in a written submission which should be publicly available along with all the others. As we know, there have been many legal opinions for and against the Voice with disagreement in the legal fraternity.
Pastors Norman and Barbara were interviewed by Vision Christian Radio on the Voice as Christians are wanting some leadership and advice on this issue. A Canberra intercessor said that 1 Way fm Christian radio in Canberra also covered their interview.
It is unhelpful that one of the Aboriginal designers of the Voice, Marcia Langton, publicly said on there could be an intifada in the western desert of Australia if a yes vote for the referendum did not succeed. (The Australian 3 May). Dr David Adler President of the Australian Jewish Association told Sky News 14 May that antifada is an Arab word and means race-based terrorism.
This is not what we want to see in Australia. There is a debate about whether the Voice would further or set back the cause of reconciliation between First Nations people and the rest of Australia.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 25-27 – Shavuot or Feast of Weeks
May 27 – National Day of Prayer and Fasting – see Canberra Declaration https://canberradeclaration.org.au/
May 27-June 3 – National Reconciliation Week with the theme – Be A Voice for Generations. Ps Norman usually opens proceedings in Cairns with a prayer and we host some activities.
May 28 – Pentecost Sunday, Pastors Norman and Barbara Miller will be speaking by zoom for Ps Jack Yeo, Emmanuel Blessings Christian Centre, Sydney
July 3-4 – Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in Gold Coast with hosts from the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. The Israeli Ambassador will then come to Cairns and we are involved along with SCAFI and other Christian ministries that support Israel, in organising this event in our role as the founders of the Centre for International Reconciliation and Peace and the founders of the Indigenous Friends of Israel. https://indigenousfriendsofisrael.org/
July – Also wonderful friends from Malaysia, Pastors Abraham and Joy Tan will be visiting us. Stay posted
HAVE A PRAYER NEED? LET US KNOW
THE MOST AMAZING VIDEOS ON ISRAEL, PRAYER, WORSHIP, THE APOSTOLIC AND PROPHETIC AND MUCH MORE – AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!!! BE BLESSED!!!
I have been a big supporter of the recognition of First Nations people in the Australian constitution and removal of racism from the constitution since 2012 when the Expert Panel on Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Constitution brought out its recommendations.
However, I cannot support the Voice as it currently stands as I believe it will not promote the cause of reconciliation but bring division between First Nations people with each other and with the rest of the nation.
I also believe it will be taking away Australians’ equality before the law in the constitution and introduce race into it making two classes of citizens based on race or ancestry.
Reminiscent of the Yirrkala bark petition, I made a giant boomerang in 2012 with the words No Racism in the Constitution on it and I presented it to then-Speaker the Hon. Bronwyn Bishop at Parliament House Canberra in the company of MPs the Hon. Ken Wyatt and the Hon. Warren Entsch on 27 November 2013.
On the same occasion in 2013, I presented my local member, the Hon. Warren Entsch the Miller Boomerang Petition with 2115 signatures on it that I had gathered at my own expense around the nation and he presented it to parliament. My journey around Australia to gather the first signatures is shown on this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a06cqhZfOwI
I continued to gather signatures and presented the rest of the 5,100 signatures to then-speaker the Hon. Tony Smith MP, the Clerk of the House, and the Hon. Warren Entsch MP on 8 February 2016 who presented it to Parliament https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LSEErGV1rI
It was basically supporting constitutional recognition and the removal of racism from the Constitution and was based on the recommendation of the Expert Panel. It read: “We therefore ask the House to:
Educate the Australian nation about the need for constitutional change and hold a referendum within two years to:
Remove Section 25 – which says the States can ban people from voting based on their race; • Remove section 51(xxvi) – which can be used to pass laws that discriminate against people based on their race;
Insert a new section 51A – to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to preserve the Australian Government’s ability to pass laws for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
Insert a new section 116A, banning racial discrimination by government; and
Insert a new section 127A, recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages were this country’s first tongues, while confirming that English is Australia’s national language.” For more information see https://barbara-miller-books.com/boomerang-petition/
Most Australians, including myself, support the constitutional recognition of First Nations people in the constitution, effective consultation with First Nations people on matters that affect us, and reconciliation.
The referendum question should be split into two propositions – one, the recognition of First Nations people in the constitution, and a second on the Voice. There is still a lack of clarity on the Voice and its possible unintended consequences.
The option of achieving this recognition through a preamble was rejected at the referendum on a republic and would be now by many First Nations people. However, as you can see from the example of the Expert Panel’s recommendations, it can be achieved within the body of the constitution without adding in a Voice.
A legislated Voice is still an option that could be considered by the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum which reports back on 15 May. Amendments re a constitutional Voice to executive government are likely to be discussed but considering the composition of the Committee, not much change to the Referendum Working Group/Albanese proposal is likely.
I want to see practical solutions on the ground for my people – closing the gap on the serious disadvantage that exists for my people, money spent where it will count and the voices of grassroots First Nations people heard.
I also believe the First Nations Christian Voice needs to be heard in this debate. More articles on the Voice by my wife can be found on the Canberra Declaration blog and on our church website www.reconciliationandpeace.org.
I will also be writing on this subject soon from the perspective of my role as co-founder of the Indigenous Friends of Israel https://indigenousfriendsofisrael.org/
That God’s Voice is heard by Australians including those in power. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice” John 10:27. See God’s Voice Shakes the Desert by Ps Norman Miller, Psalms 29:3,4 & 8 https://youtu.be/60GJRNMzwXw
That the Judeo-Christian heritage of our nation be strengthened and influence decision-making at all levels in our nation including regarding the Voice. “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24
That the church will have the anointing of the sons of Isaachar, that is, know and discern the times and the seasons and what the church and nation should do re the Voice (“of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred, and all their brethren were at their command” – 1 Chronicles 12:32). Also, that the Spirit that rested on the Lord would rest on Christians: “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2
That any deception regarding the Voice be exposed and any underlying plans be revealed. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8 NIV
That the confusion around the Voice be cleared up with sufficient and accurate information so that people are fully informed when they vote for the Voice. “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV
For social cohesion and unity in Australia to be strengthened and that the debate re the Voice will not be divisive and reverse the steps we have made in Australia towards reconciliation. “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25 NIV. Also, that it will not divide First Nations people from each other and that First Nations people will be healed from the hurts of history.
That those for and against the Voice would have a robust but civil debate without intimidation and abuse and that people will not be silenced and intimidated from expressing their point of view. “Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies” … Philippians 1:28 NLT
That those who are campaigning for the no case will be able to put forward credible alternatives and have similar funding and opportunities to the yes campaign to do so. This would not only include how constitutional recognition of First Nations people could be achieved but also how they can be consulted in a meaningful manner and what wording should be in the referendum the nation will vote on.
For the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum to reach wise conclusions for the benefit of Australia in a non-partisan way. The coalition are greatly outnumbered on this committee so the chances of any significant change are slim. But we know “history belongs to the intercessors.”
For wisdom for the Australian people as they vote on the referendum between October and December this year. This includes First Nations people on the ground.
For wisdom of all those in positions of influence re the Voice debate – the Referendum Working Group, the Referendum Engagement Group, 1 the Constitutional Expert Group, all MPs and Senators, Premiers, Chief Ministers of the ACT and NT, state and local governments, yes and no campaigners, the media, First Nations organisations, corporations, unions, faith groups, sporting codes, First Nations sportspeople, and community organisations etc.
For more articles on the Voice by the author, check out:
1 The Referendum Engagement Group includes those on the Referendum Working Group as well as additional people from the across the country including representatives from land councils, local governments and community-controlled organisations.
