Water! Water! Everywhere! -- But not in Australia
“Lord, please give rain – or give us the ability to survive!”
By Ramon Williams
Special for ASSIST News Service
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- Australia is facing one of its worst droughts in history and the churches are concerned. Concerned for the farmers, the families and the farms.
Grass into dust
Grass, that is normally 12 inches high, is now dust!
One youth outreach group has asked its members to pray: “Please Lord, give us rain, but if not – please enable us to survive”.
Days of Prayer have been called for. The Australian Prayer Network has called churches, prayer groups and individuals to join in 40 days of “Seeking the face of God for the drought”, from October 22 to November 30.
The Heads of Christian Churches in Queensland have announced a Prayer Service to launch a project called: “Water … a time for prayer”. The Launch will take place on Thursday, November 2, at 7.30 am, with the Premier of Queensland, the Hon Peter Beattie MP who requested prayer for rain in drought-effected Queensland. The Project will run from Sunday, November 5 to Sunday, November 12.
Former Burrinjuck Dam
Rev Terry Logan, the minister of the Yass Community Baptist Church in New South Wales, has called for November 26 to be set aside as a National Day of Prayer, on behalf of the churches in that town. Yass is located 173 mile (279km) South-West of Sydney, with a population of 4,850.
In Yass, representatives from six denominations have met every Saturday morning for prayer in a central park, for the last eight weeks. Sometimes farmers have joined them and shared something of the difficulties they are experiencing. Luke Willersdorf, a former Youth Minister, said it was great to have fellowship and share experiences. At least that way farmers know they are not alone.
“For 12 years, there have only been low rainfalls and for five years there have been no crops to sell,” said Luke. “Banks are extending credit for the farmers to continue, but as soon as a crop is harvested, it is realized the banks will step in, take over the farms and claim repayments.”
Dry land for sale/Farmers selling out
Farmers are selling out, while they can, although the price for sheep is decreasing daily. It costs $1 for a bullet to kill a sheep, which would only sell for $1 anyway!
Animals are coping a little better but the fields in the surrounding areas are running out of suitable grass for feeding. Farmers have had to buy fodder for 4-5 years, which is emptying their financial resources.
“Debt is rampant,” said Luke. “Many have had their credit stopped and some already owe more than a whole year’s income!”
Rev Logan showed his concern when stating that a farmer commits suicide every four days in New South Wales because of their predicaments
People can help by praying for our Nation and our farmers. Encourage Parliamentarians and Church leaders to declare November 26, a National Day of Prayer.
Water! Water! Everywhere! -- But not in Australia
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