於2015-05-02發佈

澳大利亞為美國 –一位老朋友–禱告
Warwick Marsh,Wollongong, NSW, Aurstralia
2015年5月1日

我們祝福美國!

從澳大利亞的國家禁食禱告日的團隊,以及其他國家的領袖,呼籲世界各國為美國禱告和禁食七天,從2015年4月30日至5月6日,這是已經在進行中的事項。

在澳大利亞的我們,相信這次是輪到我們來祝福美國這個國家,並根據代下7:14的經文藉由禱告和禁食為美國帶來醫治。我們感謝美國在第二次世界大戰期間為澳大利亞和自由世界各國提供保護。在1942年由美國轉戰的珊瑚海戰役,對澳大利亞而言是在第二次世界大戰中的一個轉折點。為美國感謝神!

  
(照片源自Warwick Marsh)

如果沒有美國的軍事干預,希特勒和他的邪惡勢力會在第二次世界大戰擊敗盟軍。如果沒有美國的積極抗戰,共產主義會在二十世紀贏得勝利。這兩個無神論的意識形態需要為在二十世紀超過100萬人的死亡負責。因為美國挺身反對邪惡,有多少的生命倖免於難?為美國感謝神!

據估計,每年美國從政府,私人和宗教機構提供外援資助了全世界數十億美元。幾乎世界上所有國家的人民,在某種形式上每年都從美國的慷慨和善良中受益。為美國感謝神。

在2015年4月30日舉行的國家悔改日,是喬治·華盛頓以一個虔誠的基督徒身份當選總統,其就職典禮的第226週年。國家悔改日是源自於亞伯拉罕·林肯在災難的內戰期間舉辦的”謙卑,禱告和禁食日“的靈感。這7天的禱告和禁食從國家悔改日開始,於5月6日,美國全國禱告日的前夕結束。神過去回應亞伯拉罕·林肯在國家危機出現時的禁食禱告,祂今天也同樣可以做到。

欲觀看為美國禱告的邀請視頻,請點擊這裡,或是下方的圖片: 

家庭的危機

讓我告訴你一個關於四個人的故事。他們的名字是『每個人』(Everybody),『某個人』(Somebody),『任何人』(Anybody),和『沒有人』(Nobody)。有一項重要的工作需要完成而『每個人』很確信『某個人』會做。雖然是『任何人』都可以做的,但『沒有人』來做。『某個人』對此很生氣,因為它是『每個人』的工作。『每個人』都認為『任何人』都可以來做,但『沒有人』意識到,『每個人』都不會去做。結果就是,當『沒有人』來做『任何人』都可以來做的事情時,『每個人』都指責『某個人』。

今天,我們各自國家的房子都著火了,警鐘響噹噹地響著,『每個人』都認為『某個人』應該來做些什麼將火撲滅。在澳大利亞和美國,大約三分之一到一半的婚姻以失敗收場。我們已經集體地拒絕聖經的道德,這意味著越來越多的人們甚至懶得結婚,而同居的伴侶遭受家庭破裂是已婚夫婦的五倍。婚姻正陷在危機當中!

通姦不斷提高的發生比例引發的無過錯離婚,動搖了婚姻的根基和引爆使下一代被削弱的”無父疫情”的擴散,並導致更高比例的犯罪入監,更高層次的犯罪行為,吸毒,家庭暴力,墮胎增加和其它形式的謀殺,貧困,心理問題,黃色書刊大流行,兒童性虐待增加,公共健康問題日驅嚴重,以及無數的教育和政府方面的問題。

更糟糕的是,有一些來自我們各自國家內部的力量要重新定義婚姻。婚姻的重新定義會完全破壞婚姻並導致“無父“,家庭破裂和性別混亂更加增多。每個人都同意,我們各自的國家正處於危機當中,並且某個人應該要做點什麼。

代下7:14提到,『這稱為我名下的子民,若是自卑、禱告,尋求我的面,轉離他們的惡行,我必從天上垂聽,赦免他們的罪,醫治他們的地』。

『自卑』在希伯來文是『KANA』,在經文中也意指禁食。我們各自的國家需要有良好的一劑,就是從禱告,禁食和生命活水的消防栓而來的悔改。只有協調一致和聯合的禱告,禁食和悔改可以恢復教會,之後為國家帶來屬靈的健康。我們需要復興和改革。

美國正處於危機之中,因為它已經忘了自己是從磐石所鑿成的,而正陷入道德和屬靈的破產裡。道德和屬靈的破產導致金融和政府的破產。美國是陷於內外交攻巨大的危險中。來自澳大利亞的先知性作家和傳道人Lana Vawser說,“美國現在正為自己的命定爭戰,美國的命定難料。主正在呼召祂的子民出現,為美國禱告。爭戰的時刻到了“。

 
(照片源自Warwick Marsh)

我們呼籲世界各國加入我們在基督中的兄弟姐妹們為美國的復興和改革來禱告和禁食。去年我們有來自40個國家的人加入我們。今年,我們相信會有超過100個國家與我們一起為美禱告和禁食。

美國,一位老朋友

人們問我們,為什麼要這麼做?我希望我能說這是來自澳大利亞的想法,但它是源於美國國家悔改日協調長,Jeffrey Daley牧師呼召大家,於2013年2月在我們的國家禁食禱告日為澳大利亞禱告。他請我們在4月30日,當年稍後舉辦的美國的國家悔改日為美國禱告。我們怎麼能說不呢?

幫助帶領為美國的禱告和禁食這一過程已經深刻地震撼人心。當Steve Shultz在Breaking Christian News和The Elijah List公佈了澳大利亞要為美國禱告和禁食的新聞,在24小時內已經有120萬人次流覽,這是創紀錄的事件。

真正的震撼人心,是那些留言和感謝的淚水。從Virginia州的Kim說道,『我因著您們會為我們禱告而感恩地哭了…您們宣布要代表美國來禱告和禁食對我而言是個極大的鼓舞。我是個禱告勇士,但我經歷疲乏,有時,沮喪受挫…我禱告基督是我們國家真正的房角石…我禱告我們的國家要進入神所命定的命定。』

從德州的Laura說道,『我只想說非常,非常感謝你們…聽到來自其它國家的人要為我的國家禱告觸動了我心中自己都未曾認知存在的傷口,那是因為知道許多人恨惡我的國家。今天這傷口癒合了是因著聽到了這麼多對美國的真愛,我將永遠不會忘記!』

Doug Stringer, Response USA的主持人,強忍著淚水,說道,『在我的內心和靈魂深處都深深地被感動!如同飄洋過海,遠道而來的一杯清涼的水,知道我們的兄弟姐妹們都在為我們禱告。謝謝我們所有澳洲的兄弟姐妹們!』

約伯記42:10的經文提到,『約伯為他的朋友祈禱。耶和華就使約伯從苦境(原文是擄掠)轉回』。美國是澳大利亞的一位老朋友。這兩個國家在第一次和第二次世界大戰,韓戰,越戰,波斯灣戰役,阿富汗戰役裡都一起戰鬥,現在我們要為我們各自的國家在屬靈的戰場中並肩作戰。當我們彼此在施恩的寶座前托住對方就會帶來恢復。

 
(照片源自Warwick Marsh)

在禱告中付出給予是照著被認知為賜予的神,我們的天父的模式。在雅各書1:5提到,『你們中間若有缺少智慧的,應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的 神,主就必賜給他』。我們應當持續我們天父的腳踪彼此在禱告中慷慨大方相待。

神祝福美國!

讓我們禱告:

我們在天上的父,

為美國感謝袮,勇敢者的家園,自由的土地。這個國家一直都是世界各國的大祝福。她資助福音的傳講到地的四極;差派宣教士幾乎到世界上所有的國家。我們感謝袮在全球給予窮人巨大的援助。我們感謝袮的保護將美國武裝部隊白白賜給地上的人民。

今天,我們代表美國站在破口,呼求袮的憐憫。我們為『憐憫原是向審判誇勝』感謝袮(注1)。我們感謝袮要祝福我們,醫治我們。耶穌已經在十字架開闢了道路,而祂的寶血大聲呼喊恩典和更多的恩典。

主饒恕我們,主潔淨我們,主醫治我們。

奉耶穌的名我們禱告。阿門。

Warwick Marsh
國家禱告日
 

注1:雅2:13 因為那不憐憫人的,也要受無憐憫的審判;憐憫原是向審判誇勝。(because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment



"Australia Prays for America – A Long-Time Friend"
Warwick Marsh and Dr. Graham McLennan, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
May 1, 2015

We Bless America!

The National Day of Prayer and Fasting team from Australia, together with other national leaders, has called the nations of the world to pray and fast for the USA for seven days, from April 30 – May 6, 2015, which has already begun.

We in Australia believe it is our turn to bless the nation of America and pray for healing for the USA through prayer and fasting according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. We are grateful for the protection that America gave Australia and the nations of the free world during World War II. The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought by the USA in 1942, was the turning point in the Second World War for Australia. Thank God for America! (Photo via Warwick Marsh)

Without the intervention of America's armed forces, Hitler and his evil forces would have beaten the Allies in World War II. Without America's active resistance, Communism would have triumphed in the twentieth century. Those two godless ideologies were responsible for over 100 million deaths in the twentieth century. How many more lives were spared because of America's stand against evil? Thank God for America!

Each year it is estimated that America gives billions of dollars per year in foreign aid to the world from governmental, private, and faith-based institutions. People in almost all of the nation states in the world benefit each year in some way from America's generosity and kindness. Thank God for America.

The National Day of Repentance, which was held on April 30, 2015, was the 226th anniversary of George Washington's inauguration as a devout Christian president. The National Day of Repentance takes its inspiration from Abraham Lincoln's Day of "Humiliation, Prayer and Fasting" held during the devastating times of the Civil War. This Day of Repentance began this seven-day period of prayer and fasting, and concludes on May 6, the eve of the USA National Day of Prayer. God answered Abraham Lincoln's prayer and fasting in times of national crisis then, and He can do the same today.

See this video invitation to pray for America click here or on the image below:

A Family Crisis

Let me tell you a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Today our respective national houses are on fire, the alarm bells are ringing, and Everybody believes that Somebody should do something to put the fire out. In Australia and America, between a third and a half of all marriages fail. We have collectively rejected Biblical morality, which means more and more people do not even bother getting married, and cohabiting couples suffer family breakdown at five times the rate of married couples. Marriage is in crisis!

No-fault divorce with ever-increasing levels of adultery are also undermining marriage and leading to an epidemic of the fatherlessness which is crippling the next generation and leading to higher levels of incarceration for crime, higher levels of criminal behavior, drug addiction, domestic violence, increasing levels of abortion and other forms of homicide, poverty, psychological problems, a pandemic of pornography, increasing levels of child sexual abuse, increasing problems in public health, and a myriad of problems in education and in government.

Even worse, there are forces within our respective nations that want to redefine marriage. The redefinition of marriage will totally destroy marriage and lead to even greater levels of fatherlessness, family breakdown, and gender confusion. Everybody agrees that our respective nations are in crisis and Somebody should do something.

That something is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from there wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land."

The Hebrew word for humble is KANA, and it also used in Scripture to refer to times of fasting. Our respective nations need a good dose of prayer, fasting, and repentance from the fire hydrant of the water of life. Only a concerted and united campaign of prayer, fasting, and repentance can restore the Church and then the nation to spiritual health. We need revival and reformation.

America is in crisis because it has forgotten the Rock from which it has been hewn and it is falling into moral and spiritual bankruptcy. Moral and spiritual bankruptcy leads to financial and governmental bankruptcy. America is in great danger from within and without. Prophetic writer and ministerLana Vawser from Australia said, "There is a fight for the destiny of the USA right now. The destiny of America hangs in the balance. The Lord is calling His people to arise and pray for the United States of America. It is time to contend." (Photo via Warwick Marsh)

We are calling the nations of the world to join in prayer and fasting with our brothers and sisters in Christ for revival and reformation in the USA. Last year we had people from over 40 nations join with us. This year we are believing for over 100 nations to join us in prayer and fasting for the USA.

America, a Long-Time Friend

People have asked us, Why are you doing this? I wish I could say it was Australia's idea, but it was Pastor Jeffrey Daly, coordinator of America's National Day of Repentance, who first called for prayer for Australia on our National Day of Prayer and Fasting, February 2013. He asked us for prayer on America's National Day of Repentance held later that year on April 30, 2013. How could we say no?

This process of helping lead prayer and fasting for the USA has been profoundly humbling. When Steve Shultz published news of Australia's call to pray and fast for America (on Breaking Christian News and The Elijah List), they had reached 1.2 million people in a 24-hour period, which was something of an all-time record.

What has been really humbling have been the comments and the tears of thanks. Kim from Virginia, said, "I wept with thanksgiving that you will be praying for us... The announcement of your call to prayer and fasting on behalf of America was a great encouragement to me. I am a prayer warrior, but I have been weary and, at times, discouraged... I pray for Christ to be the true Cornerstone of our nation... I pray for our nation to come into its God-ordained destiny."

Laura from Texas said, "I just wanted to say thank you very, very much... Hearing people from other nations pray for mine touched a hurt spot in my heart that I hadn't even realized was there which had been caused by knowing that many people hate my nation. It was healing today for that wound to hear so much true love for the USA and I will never forget it!"

Doug Stringer, the facilitator of the Response USA, fighting back the tears, said, "I'm absolutely moved in the depths of my heart and spirit! It's a cup of cool water from across the seas to know our brothers and sisters are praying for us. Thank you to all our Aussie brothers and sisters!"

The Scripture says in Job 42:10"God restored the captivity of Job after he prayed for his friends." America is a long-time friend of Australia. Both nations fought together in the First and Second World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Afghanistan, and now we fight side-by-side in a spiritual battle for our respective nations. There is a restoration that comes as we lift each other up before the throne of Grace.(Photo via Warwick Marsh)

This process of giving in prayer is patterned on our Father in Heaven who is known as the giving God. The Scripture says in James 1:5"If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him." We should continue to follow in our Father's footsteps and be generous in our prayers for each other.

God bless America!

Let's Pray:

Father in Heaven,

Thank You for America, home of the brave, and the land of the free. This nation has been a great blessing to the nations of the world. She has financed the preaching of the Gospel to the four corners of the earth; sent missionaries to almost all the nations of the world. We thank You for the enormous aid given to the poor around the globe. We thank You for the protection that the American Armed Forces has given freely to the peoples of the earth.

Today we stand in the gap on behalf of the nation of America and cry out for mercy. We thank You that "mercy triumphs over judgment." We thank You that You want to bless us and heal us. Jesus has made a way at the Cross and His Blood cries out grace and more grace.

Lord forgive us, Lord cleanse us, Lord heal us.

In Jesus' name we pray. AMEN.

Warwick Marsh
National Day of Prayer
Website: nationaldayofprayer.com.au