It is a privilege to be able to write this week’s “Pastor’s Pen”. Julie has asked me this morning to speak on prayer, and when I think of God’s timing I’m continuously amazed. Because the same weekend that I’m asked to speak on prayer is the same weekend that we celebrate Waitangi weekend. I have been blessed to have served God outside New Zealand for 10 or so years, but there are few things that stir me and remind me of home more than our National Anthem. For some, this is just a song sung at the start of International sport. But for me it is two things, firstly it is a reminder of home and family. And secondly, to me, it is a national prayer and a prayer that God has ever so graciously answered time and time again.
Our God is the God of all nations, He answers our prayers, He has kept New Zealand free from war, He has made our praises heard in many different ways (think about Hillary climbing Everest, think of the world-beating All Blacks, think of Rutherford splitting the atom, think of our nuclear stance, and think of us as being the least corrupt nation in the world). Yes God has defended New Zealand.
Next time you hear our Anthem, treat it as a prayer and know that God has and is answering it.
John Hastie
