Dear Father God,

In light of Hamas’ recent attacks on Israel we are reminded yet again of the sad reality that the present Jerusalem is in slavery with her children.We pray for those who belong to the heavenly Jerusalem – our brothers and sisters living in both Israel and Palestine – that you’d enable them to boldly proclaim and live in accordance with the gospel of peace during this time of dreadful conflict. May their love of the Prince of Shalom/Salam so motivate them to comfort and serve those who have experienced devastating loss, and may they themselves know the genuine comfort that comes from the Great High Priest who empathises with our weaknesses.

For our brothers and sisters in Palestine, may you embolden and equip them to stand against the political leadership of Hamas, and agitate for non-violent solutions to the current conflict. May their desire to love their enemies be used to show up the futility of Palestinian jihadists perpetuating the cycle of violence.

For our brothers and sisters in Israel, may you embolden and equip them to stand for and promote only the just and reasonable use of defensive force, and to condemn terroristic forms of retaliation. May Israel’s military action be swift and measured, and restore safety and security to their nation.

We pray for Gentile Christians in Israel – that their love for Jews, along with their firm confidence in your Fatherly goodness, might be used to provoke elect Israelites to envy, and that through this, you’d bring many of your chosen people back into your kingdom through the blood of their own Messiah. We praise you that on the last day we’ll see a nation of elect Israelites, along with multitudes from all tribes, nations and languages, surrounding your throne – a testament of your absolute faithfulness to your promises.

For those on both sides of this multi-generational conflict who have deep animosity and hatred for the other – may they come to appreciate the extraordinary love that you showed in the giving of your one and only Son for your enemies, that they might know true reconciliation.

For world leaders, and for your church all over the world, may we be slow to make definitive calls about the absolute rightness or wrongness of political decisions in regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We recognise that you alone are omniscient and omnibenevolent, and that you look favourably on the one who is humble and contrite in spirit.
Whilst we lament the conflict itself, we pray that it might give rise to gospel opportunities with our Jewish neighbours. May our love for the Jewish Messiah and our desire to see His own people blessed by embracing Him, shine forth in our conversation and prayer. May we be unashamed of the gospel, remembering that it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe – first for the Jew, and also the Gentile.

We pray boldly that the heavenly Jerusalem would soon come down, whereupon we’ll rejoice that all conflict will end, all perpetrators will be brought to perfect justice, and all your people will enter into the joy of your eternal kingdom. Come Lord Jesus. Amen.

BEN PAKULA

Wisdom is wonderful! 

Wisdom is the art of understanding the world and how to live in it for your joy and success. 

Wisdom is the secret ingredient to better decisions, flourishing relationships, and fruitful work.

Who doesn’t want a big tasty slice of that every day!?

But there are two kinds of wisdom. Both will help you succeed in life, but they look very different. 

We see both of them in James, here is the first kind.

“But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” James 3:14-15 NIV

Selfishness and envy may help you succeed in life, but they are evil. Have a look at how envy works.

Love says, “I’m happy when you’re happy, and I’m sad when you’re sad.” Envy says, “I’m happy when you’re sad, and I’m sad when you’re happy.” Could anything be more terrible?

Now take a look at God’s wisdom to see how it compares.

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 NLT

This kind of wisdom couldn’t be more different from evil wisdom that’s full of envy and selfishness.

God’s wisdom is good because he is good! Delight in God’s way of living and ask him for help. We all need it.

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 NLT

JACOB MIERENDORFF

When I ask someone to give thanks for the food, I don’t normally expect them to mention cattle… but this is exactly what I often heard in prayers when I was a student at theological college.

As we were about to eat our meal, the principal would sometimes quote from Psalm 50, saying, “Lord, you own the cattle on a thousand hills…” and then he’d give thanks for the food.

It’s certainly a bit of a change to the good old, “for what we are about to receive,” but what makes it so good is the startling reminder that the Lord to whom we pray is actually the one who owns every hill, and every animal, on planet Earth.

Like a megaphone, it shouts out the true place of the true and living God: the one who not only created the world but also sustains it with his mighty word.

As I reflected on God’s kindness, I also thought about the other things we thank him for, as well as the many things we ask him for.

We say ‘thanks’ and ‘ask’ prayers because we know that God ultimately owns everything.

As we think about our church finances for the remainder of this year, and as we plan for the year to come, it’s a great relief to know that God owns the cattle on the many hills of Jamberoo, as well as every other asset in our pockets and on the planet.

And so we thank him for all he’s given us, we pray that he’d provide for our needs, and we trust him with great confidence.

God owns the lot, and so that’s why we can confidently thank him and ask him for all our needs.

JODIE McNEILL

As we celebrate Father’s Day, it’s good to thank God for our earthly fathers, and for their contribution to our lives.

Fatherhood is a good thing, even though none of our earthly fathers are able to match the quality and character of our heavenly father.

In his first letter to the church in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul embraces fatherhood, as he compares his own ministry to the role of father:

And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12.)

The apostles pleaded, encouraged and urged the members of the church—three behaviours that earthly fathers should do as they lovingly lead their families.

At the same time, the Apostle Paul tells the Ephesian fathers that as they lead their children, they must do so wisely and lovingly:

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

Fatherhood is a good thing, but sadly, it’s stained by sin and affected by the fall of humanity.

That’s why we must pray that our fathers would model themselves on our heavenly father.

We also should pray for children whose fathers have caused them sadness and pain, asking our heavenly father to fill up in those children all that their earthly father has failed to provide.

For, ultimately, as all earthly fathers fail to meet the standard of our heavenly father, it is a fresh reminder for us to know the depth of our fathers’ love for us—how vast beyond all measure!

JODIE McNEILL

When people think about asking an unbelieving friend to come along to a Christian event, they sometimes hesitate to invite them to church on Sundays.

After all, many people think that church services are for people who have already trusted in Jesus, and not for those who are still starting that journey.

Yet, in 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 we read that Christians should conduct our gatherings with the expectation that unbelievers will be present with us.

For, as the outsiders hear God’s word, “they will be convicted of sin,” (verse 24), “their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, ‘God is truly here among you.’” (verse 25).

In other words, unbelievers will recognise their need to become friends with God, and so they’ll join us in worshipping Jesus as Lord… all from watching and listening to normal, Sunday church.

The reason this works is that God’s word is ‘dual action,’ for its essential message is that Jesus is Lord.

So, for people who already know Jesus as Lord, it grows our knowledge and trust in him; and for those who don’t yet know Jesus as Lord, it shows them how to follow Jesus and why it matters.

Like dual-action shampoo and conditioner, the Bible is effective to achieve two things at the same time—both mission and maturity—which is why we love to have the Bible front and centre in all we do.

So, if you’re thinking of bringing a friend along to a church event, then every Sunday’s a great day… especially as they join with us to enjoy our delicious, sit-down meal after church each week, with people of all ages and stages.

And if you don’t yet know Jesus, then Sunday church is the right place and the right time, for we pray that as we all gather together to hear God’s word, that together we’ll worship Jesus as Lord!

JODIE McNEILL