All over the West the Judeo-Christian heritage is under blistering attack from all sides. Many nations are going under, and none are safe. The radical secular humanists and leftists have been waging war on the West for decades now, and they are notching up plenty of victories.
One of the fiercest battles is taking place over one of the most long-lasting and precious of all social institutions: marriage. The militants have declared war on marriage and they are doing their very best to forever change for the worse the institutions of marriage and family.
Thus the need of the hour is to stand strong for marriage, on all levels. That means to stand up and fight on the political level, the legislative level, the social level, the ideological level, and so on. And it is a battle which will not just have to be fought once, but on many occasions.
As Margaret Thatcher reminds us, “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” That is certainly true of the marriage wars. For example, back in 2004 a great victory was won in Parliament when the Marriage Amendment Act was passed, declaring officially that marriage is between one man and one woman only.
But that Act has not stopped the activists from continuing their onslaught on the institution. As you would be aware, a number of bills have been introduced into Parliament lately to undo the Act and legalise homosexual marriage. And a number of states and territories are doing similar things.
It is understood that Federal Parliament may well be voting on this issue this coming week. Thus all the lobbying already done needs to be augmented. MPs need to be contacted and letters written to the editor and so on. But above all this there is the spiritual dimension.
The war must be fought on all levels, but it will ultimately be won in the spiritual realm. It is for this reason that a “National Call to Prayer and Fasting for Marriage” has been declared for this very week. It is vital that all God’s people rally around this, and devote as much time as possible to storming the gates of heaven to ensure that the institution of marriage is protected in Australia.
I thus offer the media release put out just recently on this. We need to disseminate this information far and wide, and make sure that we all take part in this spiritual battle. Prayer, intercession and spiritual warfare are the need of the hour here. The hour is indeed urgent, so we must pray like we have never prayed before on this issue.
Here then is the press release:
National Call to Prayer and Fasting for Marriage
Saturday 15 – Friday 21 September 2012
Jesus said in Matthew 19:5, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”. This coming week in Canberra, the long awaited vote to either pass or reject homosexual marriage is likely to take place in Federal Parliament in our nation’s capital.
After consultation with churches and national prayer leaders it has been decided to call for 7 days of prayer and fasting from Saturday 15 September to Friday 21 September 2012.
We encourage you to pray and fast as you are able given the short notice of this call to prayer. Perhaps a Daniel Fast or missing one meal a day or some other form of fasting that you feel is appropriate.
Please pass this call to prayer on to your networks and your church and invite their participation as you are able.
The foundational purpose for this seven day period of prayer and fasting is, as the church, to repent of our own sin, hypocrisy and apathy and turn back to God in a true spirit of humility and seek His face for the healing of our land as it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and declare the words of Jesus found in Matthew 15:9 for our nation at this time.
Jesus Christ makes it clear in Matthew 19:5 that marriage is between a man and a woman. Jesus goes on in Matthew 19:6, “So they are no longer two but one. Therefore what God has joined together let no man separate”. It is with these words in mind that we ask you to pray for the protection of marriage as a holy covenant relationship ordained by God.
-Pray for our parliamentarians, that they will have the courage to make a stand for marriage.
-Pray that the media would begin to tell the truth about the importance of protecting the natural family and the health risks associated with the homosexual lifestyle.
-Pray that all debate about this important subject would be carried out in a true spirit of love and respect, realising that we are all made in the image of God.
-Pray that ‘The truth will be spoken in love’ as Paul says in Ephesians 4:15 because as Jesus said in John 8:33, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”.
In the event that the vote for or against homosexual marriage is delayed, either in the Senate or the House of Representatives, it was suggested that we should continue on in a spirit of prayer until such time as the vote is finalised because as the scripture says in Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach for any people”.
12 Replies to “Marriage Wars and the Urgency of the Hour”
Dear Bill, the Christians in Australia will ignore this call at their peril,
regards,
Franklin Wood
I’ve been reading about Dietrich Bonhoeffer the German pastor in the book titled Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and how he lived and died during the Hitler reign of evil. The parallels between the German state church back then and the apathy in today’s church is hard to miss.
It is my prayer that we don’t become a country in which Christians sell out to secularism so as to maintain their comfortable lifestyles and avoid persecution. I believe that persecution is unavoidable and we will be forced to make some difficult choices in the not too distant future, especially those of us with young children.
Pray for courage and hold fast to what the scriptures teach. Let us not fear men but rather let us fear God.
Simon Craig
I am whole-heartedly in favour of any encouragement to pray on this matter, and I hope many will take the suggestion seriously.
Two thoughts concerning caution occur to me. The first one is that it may not be wise to apply the 2 Chronicles text to our situation. As God’s people now our “land’ is not Australia in the sense that Israel was in the Old Testament. It is clear of course that the more Australians do what is right in God’s sight the better it is for all of us.
The second point is that in our letters to politicians etc we should not simply say that our view of marriage is the Christian one. People of most religions and none have down the ages regarded marriage as m/f because that is common sense. Any other view until recently would have been seen as almost insane. We need I believe to state that it is our faith that impels us to believe what God has said about marriage, but we should also major on the fact that it is not just a Christian doctrine with no social and general historical factors involved.
And now into battle.
David Morrison
“It is my prayer that we don’t become a country in which Christians sell out to secularism so as to maintain their comfortable lifestyles and avoid persecution”
Simon. Indeed so, for a measure of persecution is already with us in relation the Christians witnessing to Christ in the public square. Many such cases are now being tested in the courts in the UK with little by way of success.
So it will continue whenever Christians stand for the truth of the Gospel publicly.
It seems to me that the current issue of “gay marriage” is just one such issue that must be contested by Christians. IMO the threat of Christian pastors, churches, being compelled (as they are, and will be more so in the future) to formally engage is “gay” marriage ceremonies is where the line must be drawn.
In effect the issue is far deeper and wider than homosexuality per se, but rather that of freedom of religion, of conscience and association,
Thus “gay” marriage in any shape or form is mutually exclusive with real marriage and wholly incompatible – and churches must say so, and act accordingly.
The age old question therefore re-emerges about the ABSOLUTE autonomy and independence of churches on their own doctrinal stance and obligation to reflect the will of God (in this case on marriage) – and irrespective of the secular law of the State.
Would you agree therefore that Christians are under obligation to recognise only that which God himself recognises and ordains – namely heterosexual marriage – one man and one woman for life?
Whilst the Christian is obliged to recognise and obey the State (Romans 13), such obedience does not extend where the State deliberately opposes the higher law of God – as in the case of imposing “gay marriages” upon churches.
By definition Jesus’ words “what God has joined together” (Mark 10:9) must apply exclusively to heterosexual marriage – no other ‘mix’ is envisaged.
On grounds of faithfulness to God and to his Word therefore, Christian churches in this matter must reject the current secular doctrine of “gay marriage”.
The principle is set out in Acts 5 (Vs 24-32, I suggest.
It is primarily a matter of obedience.
Graham Wood, UK
Am passing this prayer request on to all I know. This is the most powerful weapon we have, prayer and fasting. Count me in.
Anna von Marburg
Dear Bill, We lived as a Christian family in a south East country, where an alternative religion gathered momentum. Two of their leaders asked permission to come to our home. I was apprehensive. After preliminary coffee, I inquired their purpose. Sir, Your wife loves you and obeys you and is a joyful Mother of your six children, Your children love and honour their father and mother. Your family is an example to many who observe. Tell us the secret! Gladly. Our bible says,’Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. I told how He died on the cross for His bride, His church from every nation. Children are to obey their parents as fit in the Lord. They readily acceped the New Testament in their national tongue.
Bill, you called us to prayer and fasting that these precious family truths shall be preserved in legislation, and in the hearts of our nation. Thank you in God’s dear Name.
Harrold Steward
David, I believe we can apply 1 Chron 7:14, because we are the people called by His name. Further more, Australia as a nation at federation regarded the Christian faith important enough to “have the words humbly relying on the blessings of Almighty God” written into the preamble of the constitution act. This came from the Australian people and was not foisted on them by Britain.
Many blessings
Ursula Bennett
I’m in too. This is also spiritual warfare.
Anna Cook
Yes quite right Anna.
We all must do two things here:
-Pray like mad;
-Contact our MPs and Senators.
An Australian Labor MP’s bill to legalise same-sex marriage has been overwhemingly defeated in the House of Representatives. The result of the vote was 42-98.
This is not the end of the battle by any means, but a wonderful victory along the way. Thanks to all of you who prayed and worked so hard to make this happen.
All glory to God.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks guys
And yet even more terrific news! The Australian Senate has just voted on homosexual marriage with another big defeat! Both votes were supposed to be cliff-hangers, yet both were massive wins.
Here is how it all went:
HoR 98 no 42 yes
Sen 41 no 26 yes
Total 139 no 68 yes
A huge win indeed. Many thanks for all your prayers, all your hard work, and all your concern. It has all paid off big time here. Glory to God.
Dear Bill, the Christians in Australia will ignore this call at their peril,
regards,
Franklin Wood
I’ve been reading about Dietrich Bonhoeffer the German pastor in the book titled Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and how he lived and died during the Hitler reign of evil. The parallels between the German state church back then and the apathy in today’s church is hard to miss.
It is my prayer that we don’t become a country in which Christians sell out to secularism so as to maintain their comfortable lifestyles and avoid persecution. I believe that persecution is unavoidable and we will be forced to make some difficult choices in the not too distant future, especially those of us with young children.
Pray for courage and hold fast to what the scriptures teach. Let us not fear men but rather let us fear God.
Simon Craig
I am whole-heartedly in favour of any encouragement to pray on this matter, and I hope many will take the suggestion seriously.
Two thoughts concerning caution occur to me. The first one is that it may not be wise to apply the 2 Chronicles text to our situation. As God’s people now our “land’ is not Australia in the sense that Israel was in the Old Testament. It is clear of course that the more Australians do what is right in God’s sight the better it is for all of us.
The second point is that in our letters to politicians etc we should not simply say that our view of marriage is the Christian one. People of most religions and none have down the ages regarded marriage as m/f because that is common sense. Any other view until recently would have been seen as almost insane. We need I believe to state that it is our faith that impels us to believe what God has said about marriage, but we should also major on the fact that it is not just a Christian doctrine with no social and general historical factors involved.
And now into battle.
David Morrison
“It is my prayer that we don’t become a country in which Christians sell out to secularism so as to maintain their comfortable lifestyles and avoid persecution”
Simon. Indeed so, for a measure of persecution is already with us in relation the Christians witnessing to Christ in the public square. Many such cases are now being tested in the courts in the UK with little by way of success.
So it will continue whenever Christians stand for the truth of the Gospel publicly.
It seems to me that the current issue of “gay marriage” is just one such issue that must be contested by Christians. IMO the threat of Christian pastors, churches, being compelled (as they are, and will be more so in the future) to formally engage is “gay” marriage ceremonies is where the line must be drawn.
In effect the issue is far deeper and wider than homosexuality per se, but rather that of freedom of religion, of conscience and association,
Thus “gay” marriage in any shape or form is mutually exclusive with real marriage and wholly incompatible – and churches must say so, and act accordingly.
The age old question therefore re-emerges about the ABSOLUTE autonomy and independence of churches on their own doctrinal stance and obligation to reflect the will of God (in this case on marriage) – and irrespective of the secular law of the State.
Would you agree therefore that Christians are under obligation to recognise only that which God himself recognises and ordains – namely heterosexual marriage – one man and one woman for life?
Whilst the Christian is obliged to recognise and obey the State (Romans 13), such obedience does not extend where the State deliberately opposes the higher law of God – as in the case of imposing “gay marriages” upon churches.
By definition Jesus’ words “what God has joined together” (Mark 10:9) must apply exclusively to heterosexual marriage – no other ‘mix’ is envisaged.
On grounds of faithfulness to God and to his Word therefore, Christian churches in this matter must reject the current secular doctrine of “gay marriage”.
The principle is set out in Acts 5 (Vs 24-32, I suggest.
It is primarily a matter of obedience.
Graham Wood, UK
Am passing this prayer request on to all I know. This is the most powerful weapon we have, prayer and fasting. Count me in.
Anna von Marburg
Dear Bill, We lived as a Christian family in a south East country, where an alternative religion gathered momentum. Two of their leaders asked permission to come to our home. I was apprehensive. After preliminary coffee, I inquired their purpose. Sir, Your wife loves you and obeys you and is a joyful Mother of your six children, Your children love and honour their father and mother. Your family is an example to many who observe. Tell us the secret! Gladly. Our bible says,’Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. I told how He died on the cross for His bride, His church from every nation. Children are to obey their parents as fit in the Lord. They readily acceped the New Testament in their national tongue.
Bill, you called us to prayer and fasting that these precious family truths shall be preserved in legislation, and in the hearts of our nation. Thank you in God’s dear Name.
Harrold Steward
David, I believe we can apply 1 Chron 7:14, because we are the people called by His name. Further more, Australia as a nation at federation regarded the Christian faith important enough to “have the words humbly relying on the blessings of Almighty God” written into the preamble of the constitution act. This came from the Australian people and was not foisted on them by Britain.
Many blessings
Ursula Bennett
I’m in too. This is also spiritual warfare.
Anna Cook
Yes quite right Anna.
We all must do two things here:
-Pray like mad;
-Contact our MPs and Senators.
To find them, see here: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian_Search_Results?q=&sen=1&par=-1&gen=0&ps=10
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
See more on this here:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2012/09/18/will-this-be-the-end-of-marriage/
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Fantastic News!!!
An Australian Labor MP’s bill to legalise same-sex marriage has been overwhemingly defeated in the House of Representatives. The result of the vote was 42-98.
This is not the end of the battle by any means, but a wonderful victory along the way. Thanks to all of you who prayed and worked so hard to make this happen.
All glory to God.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks guys
And yet even more terrific news! The Australian Senate has just voted on homosexual marriage with another big defeat! Both votes were supposed to be cliff-hangers, yet both were massive wins.
Here is how it all went:
HoR 98 no 42 yes
Sen 41 no 26 yes
Total 139 no 68 yes
A huge win indeed. Many thanks for all your prayers, all your hard work, and all your concern. It has all paid off big time here. Glory to God.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch