Election

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

It is a strange thing to pray for an election result.

In 1977 Malcolm Fraser called an election for December 10. I remember it well because I was involved in two churches. The first was in Nunawading where the faithful prayed each week for the Liberal party. My other church was in Port Melbourne where believers prayed for Gough Whitlam.

It was very confusing. Do we really want God to take sides?

In 1993 I visited a missionary in the Philippines. He spent most of his time managing a child sponsorship program that provided uniforms, fees and books for nearly 200 students. Bill is a humble man who downplays the incredible legacy he will leave.

My colleague has some strong opinions about what Christians should be praying for. He has seen first hand how corruption can destroy a community. It means that bridges collapse, roads are not repaired and teachers are not paid.

“Pray for leaders who love justice,” he told me. “Pray for a government that will stand against corruption.”

I grew up believing that Australia was a lucky country. Now I see things differently.

The old testament prophet prayed, “ But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”