Geography. This country is not just big, it is a continent. Over 7.6 million square miles big. It is the driest continent, but more water in the east, southeast and southwest coastal regions. That is what has caused the flooding and plus it is in the region of cyclones. So wet on the coast, but wild fires in the dry areas.

Population over 21.5 million, with 89.1 % in urban areas. Ethnic origins are 67.9% predominately British origin, 16.6% other European, 6.9% Asian and 2.6% Aboriginal. Literacy is 99%. Official language - English, with 161 indigenous languages.

Economy - Advanced market economy balanced between services, mining, agricultural exports and tourism. A very high standard of living, but a fragile ecology is constantly under threat from severe drought. It is a parliamentary democracy with ties to the British monarch. A referendum to leave the Commonwealth narrowly failed in 1999. It is a secular state with freedom of religion. 69.5% are listed as Christians, with non-religious at 23 %. Other world religions are found in much smaller numbers.

Answers to prayer:
1. Australian Christians are facing the challenges of a multicultural society and secularism with faith, dynamism and considered strategies. There is much reaching out to immigrant minorities who come from other faith backgrounds.
2.The political leaders including the last Prime Minister are profoundly influenced by their Christian beliefs. there is a strong Christian representation in government, shaping law and public life.

Challenges to prayer
1. Increasing pluralism and aggressive secularization. A traditionally Christian county, now under more secular influence, esp. regarding issues of sexuality, religion and the sanctity of life. Pray the Christian values might not be driven to the margins, but believers might engage secular society
2. Australia's role as regional peacemaker and stable democracy. Thank God for the willpower to save lives at home and abroad, and for attitudes of caring towards refugees and asylum seekers.
3. Pray for the ecology of the country. Australia has been hit hard by flood, cyclones and wild fires. Estimates that over 1.5 billion dollars in damage has been done to the Queensland area from the recent floods.
4. Pray for the church in Australia to remain relevant. Although 2/3 of the people self identify as Christians, only 10% attend church regularly. There are increasingly negative attitudes towards church. Secularism and its offshoots of individualism, New Age cults and pick and choose spirituality with no accountability are dominate. Decline is prominent in all churches. Pray for revival and reformation, and unity within the churches to spread the gospel.
Australia is in a state of crisis, and this may provide an opportunity to share the gospel with those who have been hurt. I have an on-line friend whose sister lost everything and she is praying that God will open the door to realize her need for Christ.
5. Pray for Christian media - radio, literature, visual media and the internet to reach those who would not otherwise hear the gospel