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Marriage Week is a Strategic Window of Time
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Over the past week there have been some astounding and even bizarre developments in the marriage debate.
Yet through it all we believe God is mightily at work through the prayers and active participation and engagement of His people.
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Click image for links to seven articles from the current edition of 'Eternity' published by the Bible Society |
There is a strong sense that more and more Australians are waking up to the reality that the consequences of any change to the definition of marriage will not just affect a small percentage of the population - it will affect everyone.
Potentially at stake is our religious freedom, freedom of speech and freedom of conscience, and so, our Australian way of life. Our nation is at a crossroads.
In the midst of this crucial time of debate, we are very glad to remind you that
Marriage Week
will be taking place from 10 to 16 September. This has been celebrated every year
in the month of September
since 2008.
According to its organisers, Dennis and Anne Outred,
"Marriage Week is all about encouraging married couples in their walk with God together, that their marriage might reflect that mystery between Christ and His church that St Paul writes of in Ephesians chapter 5."
This year the mailing of the ballot papers for the postal survey begins on 12 September in the middle of Marriage Week. We believe, with Peter Kentley of Christian Federation, that "by the grace of God, Marriage Week takes place in a week that is extremely important for the future of our country."
Marriage Week kicks off this coming Sunday,
10 September 2017, with
Marriage Sunday. It is expected that tens of thousands of Christians from many church backgrounds will be meeting in places of worship across Australia to celebrate marriage. New this year is a
Marriage Declaration written by Indigenous Christian leader Pastor Brian Lampton. This can be downloaded and used on Marriage Sunday.
Marriage Week culminates on Saturday 16 September with the Great Aussie Date Night. Click here for their Events Noticeboard.
A
media release by the
Christian Federation, with encouragements from tennis great and champion for marriage, Pastor Margaret Court, more fully explains how
Marriage Week and Marriage Sunday helps to unite Christians on the importance of the Biblical foundations and sanctity of marriage.
But there is more!
In the light of the current marriage debate the call is to fast and pray for:
* Our nation, Australia
* Righteous government - at all levels
* Family
* The Church
The National Day of Prayer & Fasting team unanimously agreed to support this initiative. In a media release they called denominational leaders, prayer leaders, church networks, individual Christian churches and Christian organisations across the nation to get behind this important call for prayer.
Please watch this invitation to take part -
To inspire you in your prayers the team at the Christian Federation, in collaboration with Christian leaders from all over Australia, will provide an all-day Zoom Prayer Conference Call on 12 September from 8AM to 10PM. You can join in anytime! Please check details of the seven days of prayer here.
In the on-going marriage debate, let us be prayerful and gracious whilst holding true to our convictions. Through it all, it is important that we are respectful of ALL people; even those who strongly disagree with our views.
Let us find strength to contend for marriage in these words of the apostle Paul,
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. ... stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you"(Philippians 1:27a-28a).
Yours for praying for, and celebrating, marriage,
David Rowsome
PS Whatever the High Court decides in regard to the postal vote, now more than ever, we need to pray for, and celebrate, marriage. Click here for prayer times.
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