Over three decades ago I learnt from locals that here in Australia
religion is a no go zone in everyday conversations. It is a no at BBQs and all
manner of social settings. It is impolite and a bit weird to chat about it, I
learnt. In late August 2018 Australia unexpectedly got a PM who prays and
worships – and in a Pentecostal fashion too - this has some folk incensed!
SCOMO as the Prime Minister is popularly known got into trouble for
raising-hands in the church. I listened to one of the elite media channels and
thought to myself, ‘praying and raising hands in church gets one in trouble,
what’s the big deal?’ Honestly, I have laughed out loud a few times.
His Pentecostal or evangelical affiliations have been noted and debated
in mainstream and social media with much unease. Going by some elite media
reports, even some folk on SCOMO’s own side of politics wants him to tone down
his spiritual expression.
Despite Australia being regarded a free society it is surprising that
some pretty basic aspects of Christian spiritual expression invoke great unease
and suspicion among some elite.
But for goodness sake, what is heretical about worshipping and praying
hands-raised? It is one of many Christian worship expressions. Christians all
over the world engage in worship and prayer – they kneel down, stand, some
close their eyes, sing liturgy, hymns, Songs of Praise, Psalms and such.
 |
| Image: Pixabay sourced |
What if critics saw the biblical King David dancing before His Lord?
Mind you it is quite possible some of these critics may include those who
profess to be Christian. For those of faith, it is an interesting to go read –
it is illuminating.
According to mainstream media some concerned folk leaked a video of SCOMO praying in
church. Whether or not the video went on line because of people's concern is not clear to me. What is clear is the concern held and reflected by some in the mainstream and social media.
But why are some folk concerned about his prayer! What did the PM do
wrong by praying?
It turns out SCOMO prayed for the Indonesian President Widodo and people
of Sulawesi during a disaster there not long ago. He also prayed for Australian
farmers and for drought facing the country to break. Here is a Youtube link:
Honestly? Folk are incensed about that? What do critics think people do
when they go to church? Needless to say in mainstream churches it is normal to
pray for Government leaders in any weekly service. This is even more formalised
in some traditional mainstream churches – check out liturgical texts. It’s not
heretical. It is basic biblical New Testament instruction.
If anything, perhaps some Pentecostal-type churches do less regular
Sunday prayers for Governments compared to churches using liturgical service.
In any case commentators who profess to subscribe to Christianity cannot be
unaware that the Gospel requires Christians to keep their Governments leaders
in prayer.
At a time when the Liberal Party is experiencing major cracks in their
political platform, the least the public need to worry about is the PM’s prayer
and worship practices. While on the subject, I hope he keeps worshipping and
praying in any style that resonates with his religious values and his God.
To everyday folk who loves prayer and worship, happy praising the Xmas season is upon us. And may many hands be raised. And may many still fall on your knees as you pray and worship.
To everyday folk who loves prayer and worship, happy praising the Xmas season is upon us. And may many hands be raised. And may many still fall on your knees as you pray and worship.
No comments:
Post a Comment