HOPE, PATIENCE AND PRAYER ARE NEEDED IN THESES LAST DAYS

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Romans 12:12 is part of Paul’s sustained teaching on transformed community life. In Romans 12:9–21, Paul fires off a rapid series of characteristics of genuine love, and in verse 12 this compressed triad of joyful hope, patient affliction, and faithful prayer.

Each of the three is a pairing of disposition and circumstance. Joy paired with hope — the joy is not in the present situation but in the future certainty. Patience paired with affliction — the patience is not avoidance but endurance within the hard thing. Faithfulness paired with prayer — not prayer as inspiration strikes, but disciplined, ongoing, faithful practice. The three together form a sustainable way of moving through whatever life brings: looking forward (hope), leaning into the present (patience), and staying connected to God through it all (prayer).

As we are in the last days before Jesus returns to restore righteousness He has told us that tribulation is ahead for believers that will refine His church and preserve the remnant. We will need hope, patience and prayer and empowerment by the Holy Spirit to remain faithful through this testing period.

Across Australia and the rest of the Western world, Christians are increasingly finding themselves treated as unwelcome because of their beliefs. Social hostility is growing simply for holding to traditional Christian convictions. How should Christians respond?

For generations, the foundations of Western civilisation were deeply shaped by Christianity. Its teachings influenced our understanding of human dignity, charity, justice, morality, and the belief that every person is created with inherent worth because they bear the image of God. Churches stood at the centre of communities, Scripture shaped public life, and Christian beliefs were not viewed as something strange or dangerous, but as a vital part of the cultural fabric of the West.

But something has changed.

Across Western nations, Christianity is no longer simply being questioned — it is increasingly being rejected, ridiculed, and pushed towards the margins of society. The beliefs that shaped generations are now often portrayed as outdated, harmful, or incompatible with the modern world. For many Christians, the concern is not that society has different opinions. Disagreement has always existed. The concern is that the conversation itself is changing.

A society that once encouraged debate is increasingly moving towards dismissal. A society that once allowed competing ideas to exist side by side is becoming more hostile towards certain beliefs (Christian and Jewish). And for many Christians, the question is becoming unavoidable: what happens when a culture no longer wants to debate Christianity, but wants Christians to remain silent?

This is the reality many believers feel they are facing today and we should not be surprised as Jesus warned us this would happen prior to His return to restore righteousness.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:9-14

Keep in mind that Jesus Millennial Kingdom is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth. Be prepared, go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net.

FASTING, PRAYER AND GIVING CONCERNING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

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Fasting is older than the Law of Moses, older than the priesthood, and older than the Temple—yet most believers today treat it as a forgotten or optional discipline. It isn’t a hunger strike directed at heaven, a way to prove your willpower, or a technique to bend God’s arm.

In this video, Behind the Scripture traces the profound, beautiful, and hidden biblical theology of fasting from the ground up. It challenged me which is why I posted it, and it will probably challenge you. They explore the true Hebrew roots of what fasting means, the moments of national crisis in Israel, the corrections of the prophets, and how Jesus elevated the practice into a posture of holy longing for the Christian life. Fasting attracts God not because of your hunger—but because of what that hunger represents.

If this video opens something up in your faith, please consider subscribing to Behind the Scripture, leaving a comment with your thoughts, and sharing it with someone who is seeking a deeper relationship with God.

DO YOU APPROACH GOD WITH CONFIDENCE?

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“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Hebrews 4 builds an argument from the high priesthood of Jesus — He is the one who has ‘passed through the heavens’ (v14), who can sympathize with our weakness because He was ‘tempted in every way, just as we are, yet did not sin’ (v15). The implication of that priesthood is this verse: the access to God that Jesus has secured is not just his — it belongs to those who come through him.

‘Throne of grace’ is a remarkably tender phrase for what in the Old Testament was the most terrifying address in the universe — the place where the presence of God dwelt, into which only the high priest could enter, and only once a year. Hebrews says: come boldly. The word ‘confidence’ (parrēsia) means freedom of speech, openness, bold access. And the promise is specific: not that God will give you what you want, but that you will receive mercy (for your failures) and grace (for your needs) in your time of need.

What keeps you from approaching God with confidence? Do you feel like you need to clean yourself up first, that your need is too small, or that your failure disqualifies you? How does Hebrews 4:15–16 address each of those hesitations?

The throne is described as a ‘throne of grace’ — not just God’s authority but his disposition. What would it look like to actually come to prayer with the confidence this verse describes, rather than tentatively?

Jesus is described as sympathetic to our weakness because he was tempted as we are. How does the incarnation — the fact that God became human and experienced temptation — change how you relate to him in your hardest moments?

 Action Steps: Come to God boldly with your most urgent need right now. Don’t summarize. Come with the specific thing — the fear, the failure, the longing, the request. Come as if the throne is a throne of grace. Because it is. Ask for mercy and grace. Receive them.

Let the argument build: Jesus as sympathetic, faithful, experienced priest who has already entered the presence of God on your behalf. Your access to God is not based on your worthiness but on his completed work. Read Hebrews 4:14–5:3 for the full picture of Jesus as high priest.

Write a bold prayer — one you’ve been afraid to pray. Write out the prayer you’ve been holding back because you felt it was too audacious, too needy, or too personal. Then pray it. The invitation is to come with confidence. Take it at its word.

Considering we are in the time prior to Jesus return to restore righteousness to a broken world, we need to walk closely to God being confident the Holy Spirit will guide our every step. Pray God will use us to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to family, friends and all those that God brings us into contact. If you are available it is amazing how God brings people to you.

Also, get prepared for what is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth, Jesus Millennial Kingdom, http://www.millennislkingdom.net.

Join Sanctuary. It is a free, faith-grounded AI — scripture, prayer, devotionals, and daily verses like this one. Forward this post or share the link joinsanctuary.com 

PRAYER UNITED GERMANY AND CURACAO AT 2026 WORLD CUP

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When Germany smashed the Caribbean Curaçao team 7-1 during this year’s FIFA World Cup, the unexpected happened. Two of the four-time world champions stood with the first-time FIFA qualifiers and prayed.

“One of the most memorable moments following Curaçao’s debut didn’t involve a goal, a trophy, or a celebration,” wrote the country’s Chronicle news. “Instead, it came after the final whistle, when players from both Curaçao and Germany gathered together in prayer at the centre of the field.”

Germany’s Felix Nmecha and Jonathan Tah approached the team in what Nmecha told reporters was a pre-planned show of Christian brotherhood.

“Before the match, we agreed that afterwards we would come together, regardless of the result, to show that we are brothers in Christ and that there is more to life than football,” Nmecha told Sky Germany. “Being able to pray together,” Nmecha explained, “is something very special.” “On the pitch you are opponents, but afterwards you are family in Christ.”

To this, the viral ‘crown down’ signature player added, “I wanted to thank Kenji and the Curaçao players because this isn’t something you take for granted after a defeat. It was a very special moment.”

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT GUIDE WARNS PARENTS: PRAYER MAY HARM YOUR CHILD

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The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has published a parenting guide that lists “praying with your child for them to stop being LGBTQA” among actions that “can harm your child” — placing Christian prayer alongside punishment and psychological pressure as practices families should avoid.

The booklet, Talking with your child about sexuality and gender identity, was released in 2025 and produced in collaboration with the Raising Children Network. It is framed as practical guidance to help parents support children who identify as LGBT or who are questioning their sexuality or gender.

This is not a one-off. This is a government that hid gender transitions from parents in schools, spent $11.2 million on LGBTQIA+ programs while hiring near-$200,000 diversity bureaucrats, and is now telling faith-based families that their prayers are harmful. The Allan government has declared war on parents — and it is using our own money to fight it.

The document also functions as a plain-language introduction to Victoria’s Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021 (CSP Act) — and warns parents of the legal risk of certain responses to their child.

Under “Things that can harm your child include,” the booklet lists: “praying with your child for them to stop being LGBTQA” and “sending your child to programs or therapies to try to convince them that they can stop being LGBTQA”.

Mike Southon, Executive Director of Freedom for Faith, warned the booklet relies on the same vagueness that has concerned religious communities since the CSP Act passed.

“Like the legislation, the booklet relies on ambiguous definitions of gender and sexuality and incredibly broad concepts of ‘harm’,” he said. It “appears to be an attempt to enforce their extreme ‘conversion therapy’ ban legislation and create fear and uncertainty amongst parents — especially religious ones,” Southon added.

What the Booklet Teaches

The guide advances the notion that gender identity is distinct from biological sex and that parents should affirm their children’s self-identity in all cases.

It defines non-binary, transgender, and gender-diverse identities without qualification, and instructs parents to ask their child “what pronouns and other language they would like you to use”.

On mental health, the booklet attributes distress experienced by LGBT young people primarily to external rejection rather than the condition itself.

“Being LGBTQA is not a mental illness,” it states. “But LGBTQA young people can experience mental health problems like anxiety, depression and self-harming. This is usually because other people have treated them badly.”

The booklet also acknowledges that parents retain the legal right to share their beliefs — then immediately signals legal risk. “As a parent you have the right under the law to share your personal beliefs and values with your child,” it states. “However, there are laws against doing things that could harm your child.”

Southon noted the tension: “It says that parents can teach their beliefs while simultaneously implying that such teaching is illegal.”

Prayer, Parenting and the Legal Landscape

Victoria’s CSP Act, which came into force in 2022, carries criminal penalties of up to ten years’ imprisonment for conduct found to change or suppress a person’s sexuality or gender identity.

The booklet informs parents that in some Australian states “it may be against the law for a parent, or anyone else, to send their child to any kind of program, therapy or counselling designed to stop them from being LGBTQA — even if their child agrees or asks to go.”

A multi-faith submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s 2026 focused review of the Act, signed by Catholic, Anglican, Jewish, Muslim and other leaders representing more than two million Victorians, argued the legislation “extends far beyond addressing these harmful practices”.

The submission documented a chilling effect on pastoral care and family conversations: “There has been a reluctance among religious leaders, parents and other caregivers to engage in this area, for fear of falling foul of the law.”

The submission asked directly whether a parent who adopted a “wait and see” approach to a child’s gender incongruence would be committing a suppression practice under the Act — a question the Act itself does not answer.

Resources and Direction

The booklet directs parents to a list of support services that includes the Royal Children’s Hospital Gender Service, Transcend Australia, QLife, and Rainbow Door.

No resources reflecting a biological-sex framework, a cautious clinical approach, or a faith-based perspective on sexuality are included.

This is madness, biological sex, the fact that God gave females two X chromosomes (XX), and males one X and one Y chromosome (XY), which determines their biological sex and determines their various genetic traits which cannot be altered is of no consequence. No wonder we can see the prophesied Biblical end times prophecies playing out in our day. Jesus needs to return not only to rescue Israel but to restore righteousness. I can also understand why Jesus and the glorified Saints need to rule with a “rod of iron” during Jesus Millennial reign. The curse is not lifted so people will still rebel even though Satan and his minions are not present. Is your church preparing you for what is next on God’s agenda for planet earth? I don’t think so so go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net.

TRUMP HAS CALLED THE NATION TO PRAYER TO REDEDICATE AMERICA TO GOD

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On Sunday, May 17, 2026 (Monday morning, May 18, for Australians), tens of thousands of Americans will gather on the National Mall in Washington D.C. for the first-ever rededication of the USA as one nation under God. Here’s what’s scheduled to take place and the Christian leaders headlining this historic occasion.

Johnson wrote in his open letter of invitation to the national gathering: “This is a unique moment for believers. For the first time in modern history, a U.S. president has called our nation to prayer — to humble ourselves and to rededicate America to God. “This will be the first time that Americans will gather together to rededicate the United States as One Nation Under God.

“Through worship, prayer, and storytelling, we will remember the people, sacrifices, and foundational moments in which God has shaped our history. By the end, I hope you will see the truth in Benjamin Franklin’s famous admonition: ‘that God governs in the affairs of men.’”

The speaker list features multiple well-known American Christians, from Jonathan Roumie (beloved by millions for his portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen), to evangelist Franklin Graham and Grammy-winning worship artist Chris Tomlin. Notably, the event bridges Protestant and Catholic traditions, with both Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron participating alongside evangelical leaders.

According to Pastor Robert Jeffress — who is scheduled to speak at the event — Rededicate 250 could be the largest Christian gathering in 50 years.

Jeffress was referring back to Explo ‘72, a 1972 Campus Crusade for Christ conference attended by over 80,000 college and high school students in Dallas, at which the late evangelist Billy Graham preached. For context, Explo ’72 is widely regarded as one of the most significant Christian gatherings in American history, which some say marked the height of the Jesus Movement. This makes Rededicate 250’s potential scale all the more remarkable.

Event officials have written that the purpose of Rededicate 250 is to “gather in prayer, worship, and storytelling and to rededicate our country as One Nation Under God.”

GROK AI ON PRAYER SHOCKED EVERYONE

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When Elon Musk’s Grok AI was asked to scan every prayer in the Bible, people expected it to find contradictions and problems. But what happened next shocked both scientists and religious leaders. The AI discovered patterns that have been hidden for thousands of years. Patterns that change everything we thought we knew about prayer and faith. Let’s find out what Grok really found. In late 2023, Elon Musk’s company XAI launched Grok, a new artificial intelligence system. This wasn’t just another chatbot giving safe, boring answers. Grok was different. It had personality. It could access real-time information from X, formerly Twitter. Most importantly, it was built to tackle questions other AI systems avoided.

GROK Revealed Four Patterns of Prayer Content:

1. Acknowledges God’s character and faithfulness, righteousness and power.

2. Aligns with God’s purposes,

3. Trusts in God and surrender,

4. Persistence – pray, keep praying.

AI found other patterns in prayers including numerical, mathematical, etc. This can only be possible if Scripture is God ordained.

I am impressed with Grok 4 and its response to questions on Scripture. Go take a look for yourself. It is much better than Chat GPT.

What about prayer in Jesus coming Millennial Kingdom. Will people still pray with Jesus on earth. Yes they will continue to pray to God the Father in Jesus name as we do now. Go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net for more on all aspects of Jesus coming Millennial Kingdom and be prepared to rule and reign with Jesus.

TRUMP, CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES HELP – FAITH AND PRAYER ARE BACK

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Faith and prayer are reclaiming their place in the heart of America’s academic institutions — thanks to dedicated Christian leaders and a supportive Trump administration.

Last Monday, President Donald Trump declared, “America has always been a nation that believes in the power of prayer, and we will never apologise for our faith — ever, ever, never, never. We will never surrender our God-given rights.” This statement was part of Trump’s remarks at the second Religious Liberty Commission gathering at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, the president said that “the Department of Education will soon issue new guidance protecting the right to prayer in our public schools.”

In a time where children are being bullied for their faith, and anti-Christian, LGBT agendas are rippling throughout society, this development is being welcomed by many. In fact, Trump’s comments were met with a standing ovation from those in the audience.

On last Tuesday’s edition of Washington Watch, Joel Penton, founder and CEO of LifeWise Academy, discussed these developments with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins.

TRUMP’S MOST IMPORTANT INITIATIVE

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President Trump has launched America Prays, calling on Americans to gather weekly in prayer, honour the nation’s Christian foundations, seek God’s guidance, and prepare spiritually for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Launched Monday at Washington DC’s Museum of the Bible, the America Prays initiative encourages US citizens to dedicate one hour each week to pray for the country, its leaders, families, freedoms and future.

“Next year, we will celebrate 250 years since that Declaration was signed,” President Trump explained. “As part of the grand commemoration, we’ve invited America’s great faith communities to pray for our nation, for our people, and for peace in the world.”

“President Trump has revived one of America’s most prominent and powerful founding principles — we are one nation under God,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said. “America is stronger with the power of prayer.”

The America Prays campaign asks participants, where possible, to join with at least ten others each week in collective prayer. The effort extends the faith-driven message of Trump’s America250 campaign, which he launched at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in July.

At that event, President Trump emphasised the historic role of faith in sustaining the United States, saying:

As we prepare to celebrate two and a half centuries of freedom, I am inviting America’s great religious communities to pray for our nation and for our people. From the beginning, this has always been a country sustained and strengthened by prayer. If we bring religion back stronger, you’re going to see everything get better. So as we chart our course toward the next 250 years, let us rededicate ourselves to one nation under God.

The White House has provided participants with suggested resources, including scriptural readings and intercessory prayers for churches and Christian leaders. Scriptures recommended for prayer include 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 33:12, and 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

A 22-page booklet titled Prayers and Proclamations Throughout American History has also been provided, which includes the Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving in 1621, the First Prayer in Congress in 1774, George Washington’s military orders and calls to prayer during the Revolutionary War, President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 call for a Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, and Billy Graham’s prayer at the 1969 Presidential Inauguration.

Organisers of America Prays hope that at least one million Americans will dedicate an hour weekly to prayer, fostering a spirit of unity and spiritual renewal across the country.

PRAYER: WHAT IT DOES AND DOES NOT DO

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Prayer does not promise to free us from trouble. Indeed, God promises us the opposite. Trials will come. Such is this world. Rather, we pray to align our hearts and minds with God’s will.

We pray that we would accept God’s ordering of things, not our own, because it is HIS Kingdom.

We pray that we will be made strong and made better in difficulty, like gold purified in fire.

We pray that we would do those things which advance God’s purposes, to shine His testimony brightest in the darkness.

We pray for those things which we believe are in God’s will — but with the same caveat Jesus used — “not my will, but Yours be done.”

We pray with our eyes on the new heaven and new earth, where all these troubles will be solved, the dead will be reunited, and every tear will be wiped away.

God-Given Strength

The mockers will say, “See! Prayer did not help!” Not so.

It is only by faith that the tragedies of this fallen world become instruments of advancing a greater purpose.

The one who has no faith is defeated because they have no hope beyond living a trouble-free life, which happens to nobody.

But to the one who has faith, the troubles of this world are like gym equipment to a gymnast. They strengthen us. They bring us close to God. They help us to understand things with an ultimate and eternal perspective.

And it is those people, made fit by the fallenness of their world, who are strong to advance works for God; who walk in His ways; and who will rejoice the greatest when God greets them and all the troubles that made them are now resolved.

To put it bluntly, they are not the killers. They are the finest of people.

No point railing against the pray-ers in trouble. You will be better served to understand their method.

Then you can live with hope and meaning, too, no matter what this fallen world throws up.

Republished with minor changes, thanks to Martyn Iles.