Uh-Oh! The Sleeping Giant is Awake!

17 May 2019

3 MINS

No matter what the outcome of the vote this Saturday, no matter who is voted in, it is the sleeping giant who holds the balance of power in this nation.

Who is the sleeping giant?

Christianity!

In the 2016 Census, 52% of the Australian population declared themselves active church-going Christians. Without adding anyone else, that’s the balance of power!

But wait, there’s more…

The Christian figure above does not include the others in our society who love Christmas and Easter, and choose Christian marriage and burial ceremonies, and generally hold to a Christian ‘love your neighbour’ worldview. Collectively, this group is referred to by politicians as ‘the conservative vote’. Their numbers could take our 52% up as high as 70%.

The bottom line is, the number of Christian/conservatives in this country is staggeringly high, and not something any political party can ignore. Yet, despite our size, we have been known for a long time as ‘the silent majority’, an inoffensive sleeping giant.

That has now changed!

Something happened recently to wake the sleeping giant. He’s not fully awake yet, just yawning, and stretching and enjoying the feeling of still being in his warm and fuzzy comfort zone. But he is awake, and he knows it’s nearly time for him to rise and get to work.

What happened?

The Folau furore! When Israel Folau was sacked for quoting Scripture in his own time, away from his workplace, it was like the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in WWII. That’s not an overstatement! It was a declaration of war on our God, on His word, and on his people.

Just as the single attack on Pearl Harbor woke the sleeping American military machine, so this attack on Scripture has woken the sleeping Christian majority in Australia. We are awake now, and we know it’s time to rise and get to work.

There’s a lot to do!

Freedom of religion is being challenged. Marriage between a man and a woman is being mocked. Our children’s young minds are under attack. License to kill the youngest and oldest in our society is being presented as reasonable, and our God and His word are being ridiculed in the public square.

All of this is being promoted by a minority group so quickly and loudly, anyone would think it was a majority opinion. It’s not! It’s the opinion of less than 10% of our population.

What about the rest of us?

Regardless of the election outcome, these issues will still have to be addressed, and they can’t be adequately addressed without the opinion of the silent majority.

So what do we do?

Getting heard is not difficult! You don’t have to go to a rally, or carry a banner, or do anything loud or outrageous. You don’t even have to be seen. You can have a voice, sitting in your favourite lounge chair, cruising the Caribbean, living in a foreign country, lazing at the beach or working on a remote property. You can have your say before breakfast, or after you put the kids to bed.

All you need is an email address. Then:

  1. Sign the Canberra Declaration and become part of the Canberra Declaration community advocating for freedom, family, faith and Life.
  2. Sign up to the Australian Christian Lobby so they can let you know when you can add your name to petitions or surveys on matters of importance like Euthanasia, Abortion, Freedom of Speech, etc.

No matter who is voted in this weekend, the balance of power belongs to the sleeping giant. Politics is a numbers game, and the sleeping giant has the numbers.

This election is not the end, but the beginning of this battle. If Scott Morrison MP is returned as Prime Minister, he will still need the mandate of the Christian/conservatives to bring about the changes we want to see.

If Bill Shorten MP gains the top position (I don’t even like saying that), he also will have to bow to popular opinion. That’s the way politics works.

How do we let our PM know what we want?

Through petitions! Through surveys! The more names on each petition or survey, the more power we have. Whoever has the most numbers will win this battle. If we don’t actively fight for our various freedoms, we will lose them. The Canberra Declaration and the Australian Christian Lobby have been raised up by God ‘for such a time as this’ (Esther 4:14).

They both stand on Biblical principles and will take your valuable opinion to the Government. Get behind both of them! Get your friends and family to get behind both of them! You can trust them! They stand for God, and they stand for Australia.

Rise up sleeping giant, and let your voice be heard…

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75 Comments

  1. Stephen Jay 17 May 2019 at 9:21 am - Reply

    We are awake and we require politicians to stand up for righteousness, family, freedom of speech and religion and the unborn

    • Monica Bennett-Ryan 17 May 2019 at 1:42 pm - Reply

      Yes we do.

    • Karin 18 May 2019 at 8:12 am - Reply

      Christians have been silent for too long,so as to be seen as peaceful people…more than ever now is the time to join with the Lion of Judah to declare enough is enough..we don’t want all this Satanic influence in our lives….be strong and courageous and declare the word of God..it’s time for ALL Christians to wake up, shake up and GET up to be the voice, the hands, the feet ,the eyes, the POWER of JESUS …RISE UP CHURCH,,lift HIM up for all the world to see..this is our commission

  2. June Jay 17 May 2019 at 10:10 am - Reply

    Great article

  3. Therese Ryan 17 May 2019 at 10:48 am - Reply

    That’s my cousin. So so proud of you xx

  4. Christine 17 May 2019 at 12:22 pm - Reply

    God bless you Monica, for your courage in standing and acting for truth.
    Yes our Judeo-Christian foundation has not yet been removed and yes it is time for all who care about these values to rise and speak up for their retention in our society. ACL and Canberra Declaration are giving God’s people the opportunity to be well informed and resourced to both pray and act. Yes it is time for the sleeping giant to awake and take action.

  5. Monica Bennett-Ryan 17 May 2019 at 1:44 pm - Reply

    Absolutely!

  6. Hilda 17 May 2019 at 8:34 pm - Reply

    It is so wonderful to see Christians standing knowing that God does protect His own people. And no matter how it plays out God will get the Glory.

  7. Lorna Rainbird8 17 May 2019 at 8:38 pm - Reply

    Thank you for this wonderful article. Yes & Amen to “Uh-Oh! The Sleeping Giant”

  8. John Oors 17 May 2019 at 9:19 pm - Reply

    Onya Monica! Just one thought… We Christians aren’t really the sleeping giant, in the context you suggest. God the Father, of Israel and His believers everywhere, HE is the “sleeping giant”. Except He isn’t sleeping, just as the USA wasn’t sleeping either. They were just minding their own business until BAM! Japan (human beings) made a BIG mistake. The call to arms was a reluctant one, but also resolute. The Christian’s call to arms is AKA prayer and to speak the Truth, as Issy did and does. We pray and God answers, but according to His will – not ours. He hears our cry – for the unborn, for schoolchildren, for chaplains and churches and… for those who sin against us. After all, what would Jesus do? What did He do, if not stand up against the most powerful bullies in the known world (Rome) and shame them into silence. Do we not have Him at our backs?

    • Monica Bennett-Ryan 18 May 2019 at 10:31 am - Reply

      Totally agree! We can’t do anything without the power and grace of our mighty God.

  9. Maynessa 17 May 2019 at 9:22 pm - Reply

    I have been praying for God to wake up His sleeping bride. Thanks, this is very encouraging

  10. Sharon Pederson 17 May 2019 at 9:23 pm - Reply

    Great article

  11. Margaret Chant 17 May 2019 at 9:26 pm - Reply

    Yes! It is time for the sleeping giant to awake and make our presence felt and the Word of the Lord honoured!

  12. Vivian 17 May 2019 at 9:26 pm - Reply

    Yes indeed, but there are still many sleeping Christians out there. We need to talk about it in our churches and life groups and make it a hot topic. Not to harp on the bad things happening but to encourage each other to take action and stop sitting on the fence. We either stand with God or we do not.

  13. Debra Mullins 17 May 2019 at 9:54 pm - Reply

    Awesome! What is quite amazing about this article is that I posted on my own fb page this morning about feeling like I have gone to sleep and just woken up as Gulliver in the land of Lilliput, with a lot of nasty little small minded people trying to tie me down and control me. Then I read your article this evening. Confirmation indeed

  14. Janine 17 May 2019 at 10:01 pm - Reply

    Awesome article Monica, and SO TRUE. We are all fed up with the voices of the minority doing the works of evil which stand against righteousness. Also fed up with the very biased views of all sections of the media who would have us think the minority’s views are the normal. It’s nothing short of social engineering. Sorry journalists one and all – you’d better get with the plot – Australia is the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, 14th May, 1606 Pedro Ferdinand De Quiros declared:”Let the heavens, the earth, the waters with all their creatures, and those present, witness that I, Captain Pedro Ferdinand de Quiros…in the name of Jesus Christ… hoist this emblem of the holy cross on which His person was crucified and whereon He gave His life for the ransom and remedy of all the human race…on this day of Pentecost, 14th May….I take possession of all this part of the south as far as the pole in the name of Jesus…which from now on shall be called the southern land of the Holy Ghost…and this always and forever…and to the end that to all natives, in all the said lands, the holy and sacred evangel may be preached zealously and openly.”
    Only in Jesus is the safety, honour and strength of our nation.

  15. Carolyn Mills 17 May 2019 at 10:02 pm - Reply

    We all need to be bold and alert to take back ground that has been lost to the enemy while the sleeping giant has been resting in comfort and complacency – I speak for myself as well.

  16. Lydia Hunter 17 May 2019 at 10:06 pm - Reply

    Folan is a brave man of God. A real inspiration at his age showing that all the money that he could receive if he just goes along with worldly issues doesn’t count against Christian values.

  17. Heather Young 17 May 2019 at 10:06 pm - Reply

    At a VCAT hearing I was asked what sort of oath I wished to utter and chose the religious one, of course. No Bible. Not even a mention of God and this in a court of law!! We need to pray for the sorry state of our nation which once was a Christian nation. Christians are under attack more than ever and we need to pray fervently and stand firm for our Christian leaders and those in the public eye who are prepared unashamedly, like Israel Folau, to profess their faith.

  18. Kim 17 May 2019 at 10:07 pm - Reply

    Here here!!
    It’s definitely time to wake up and come together as one. Stop competing with each other and start marching for the kingdom of God.

  19. Patrick 17 May 2019 at 10:13 pm - Reply

    Thank you for pointing out that Christians need to wake up, we indeed are the majority and not to be shouted down for standing on what is righteous. Israel Folau is indeed a turning point.

  20. Ian Moncrieff 17 May 2019 at 10:24 pm - Reply

    Let us arise and shine, for the light has come! Well said Monica.

  21. Melinda Rau-Wig 17 May 2019 at 10:51 pm - Reply

    We pay homage to Our Sovereign Father and Praise Him for ALL He has done for us….

    Father God – Thank you that the righteous rule in our nation of Australia.
    Lord Jesus Christ – Thank you for your Amazing gift of Salvation.
    Holy Spirit reign down on our Parlimentarians each and everyone of them.

    May the Christian Leaders continue to promote Your Truth, Light and Life.
    May those who do not know you discover how much Freedom can be found in Your blessed mantle of Grace, Mercy & Love.

    In Jesus Mighty Name We pray Amen

    • Monica Bennett-Ryan 18 May 2019 at 10:42 am - Reply

      Amen!

      Now Lord God, look upon the people in your land, Australia, and grant to your servants the boldness to speak your word, while you stretch out your hand to head and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (Acts 4:29-30)

  22. Andrea Judd 17 May 2019 at 11:02 pm - Reply

    Great writing Monica. The sleeping giant IS rising up – watch out Australia – watch out world. God is raising up people sold out for Him who cannot be shaken. Israel Folau is one of them. We thank God for you Israel for your stand and being the voice, the trumpet call helping to awaken the sleeping giant. God will honour you for this stand. We bless you Israel in the Name of Jesus. Keep up the writing Monica.

  23. Nissen Youhan 17 May 2019 at 11:28 pm - Reply

    We fled Iraq some 28 years ago because it was a country where there was no freedom of speech, we came to Australia to be free, to express our faith freely and without prosecution, unfortunately, Australia too is heading towards a dark tunnel. What has happened to Israel Folau is very scary and it could happen to any one of us.

  24. Ruth Heppell 17 May 2019 at 11:34 pm - Reply

    Very enlightening article! Thank you, Monica.

  25. Jacqueline Sandra 18 May 2019 at 12:01 am - Reply

    I’m very interested to know your story.

  26. Colleen Cranston 18 May 2019 at 12:10 am - Reply

    Awake you soldiers of the Lord and rise up! We need to voice our beliefs! We cannot bow to political correctness, the freedoms we enjoy have been costly to win and we owe it to our future generations to continue the fight to keep our country free, Righteousness will triumph, God has control! Keep up the good work Monica.

  27. Carmen 18 May 2019 at 12:55 am - Reply

    Please Lord, may you awaken the sleeping giant fully!

  28. Anna Soh 18 May 2019 at 12:58 am - Reply

    So true and I do agree that the sleeping giant is just yawning! I am part of those that are yawning and waking up and praying for more Christians to wake up and stand up for what is right and not just what is popular! Doing the right thing is not always popular. We have to sign petitions and respond to surveys to ensure that those in power know what we believe in and if we are the majority than we must do our part of supporting what we believe and not leaving it to someone else to do it!

  29. robyn brown 18 May 2019 at 2:57 am - Reply

    a great encouraging article and one i’m happy to share. thanks Monica

  30. John Mathai 18 May 2019 at 3:37 am - Reply

    GREAT HOPE FORVTHE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA.

  31. Chitrani Ratneser 18 May 2019 at 5:38 am - Reply

    OUR GOD REIGNS. Let us stand still and know that The Lord is God. He will save Australia ????????.
    Let us stand in unity and not be moved. HE is our Rock and our Fortress.

  32. Dianne Abboud 18 May 2019 at 6:11 am - Reply

    So well put Monica , and those encouraging statistics that helped us see there is more for us than we knew , more for God’s way than you would normally envisage
    Thank you Monica for the encouragement

  33. Paulne Lee Siang Sim 18 May 2019 at 9:58 am - Reply

    Amen. Jesus is our Rock and Fortress

  34. Raine Thompson 18 May 2019 at 10:26 am - Reply

    Thank you Monica, We are the majority but we have been largely silent as we are otherwise very comfortable, but now all we hold dear is under threat and it has happened so quickly. It is a matter of fact that 2% is the tipping point and because this minority has been so vocal they have leverage. You are right we have to use our combined 2%s to stand up and, like you, be heard not matter what the price. Bless you abundantly for being vocal.
    It is interesting that Israel Felau had been ‘punished’ for speaking the truth, but Kerry- Ann Kennely has not – obviously she is not sponsored by Qantas!. Raine Thimpson

  35. Diana Jones 18 May 2019 at 12:23 pm - Reply

    Thank you, PTL we are awakening. Let us humbly come before our King in unity and love, acknowledging our being caught asleep and rise, praying as one before our God, our Healer, Our Restorer, our ALL, with His Holy Spirit moving across our land bringing glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.

  36. Robyn Bean 18 May 2019 at 12:33 pm - Reply

    Thank you everyone for the interesting comments that I have just read! Also for you Monica, for starting it off. What had come to me after reading them was the situation that the Israelites were facing under Pharaoh, in Egypt. How he rose up to control/silence and to keep in bondage the people of God, at that time. Which is exactly what is happening now!!

  37. Graham Smith 18 May 2019 at 1:32 pm - Reply

    We may be the silent majority but if we stay silent we will lose the values we believe in and those in power will listen to those who want abortion, euthenasia, sexual fluidity, and other Marxist doctrines to become law in this country.

  38. wendy ponsen 18 May 2019 at 5:46 pm - Reply

    amen

  39. Carley McGrath 18 May 2019 at 7:30 pm - Reply

    Yes let us wake and speak the promises of God over our nation.

  40. Glenda Manson 18 May 2019 at 9:11 pm - Reply

    Reading this as I watch the Election results unfold – seems more true now! We have prayed and fasted and sought the Lord at this time. Praise Him as He graciously hears our prayers.

    • Monica Bennett-Ryan 19 May 2019 at 8:03 am - Reply

      Yes, let’s praise him for his victory in our nation. But this election is not the end of the battle, it’s the beginning. We now have to help Scott Morrison shore up our freedoms and take back the ground we have lost.

  41. Marilyn Rowsome 19 May 2019 at 6:30 am - Reply

    I heard on ABC with my own ears – the Silent majority has spoken this election!! Praise God.

    • Mark Whittaker 20 May 2019 at 8:26 pm - Reply

      Yes, I heard it, too, “The silent majority has spoken,” and could hardly believe that it was uttered!

  42. Yvonne Walker 19 May 2019 at 3:09 pm - Reply

    Thank you Monica for your wake up call.. We Christians are so often lukewarm. WE would do well to read John’s revelation to the Church in Laodicea again and heed it’s warning and listen to what the Spirit has to say to the churches. God bless this Great South Land of the Holy Spirit, as we keep our New Government and it’s leader Scott Morrison covered in PRAYER every moment…

  43. Gwenda Murray 19 May 2019 at 4:37 pm - Reply

    I wrote a letter to my local paper (the Port Stephens Examiner) which was published and circulated from 15/5. It was about
    the treatment of Israel Folau and the right of Christians to exercise free speech. The editor even did some research and ADDED info. about who John Wesley was! ( In my letter I had mentioned that John Wesley preached “repent” and how that changed the society of his time for the better.)
    Perhaps someone else would prayerfully consider writing to their local paper?

  44. Monica Bennett-Ryan 20 May 2019 at 9:05 am - Reply

    Excellent! We need our voices heard! Good on you, Gwenda!

  45. Mike McMeekan 20 May 2019 at 11:54 am - Reply

    The election has been our Dunkirk. Our nation has been spared, but the work is not yet done. We need to re-equip, re-evaluate, re-train and find new, young warriors to join the fight and then take it to the enemy. We need to storm his strongholds, attack his lies, stand up to his bullying and we need each other to effectively achieve this. Each generation has its war to fight…our time has come…Christian soldiers stand up and be counted and God will give you the victory.

  46. Lindy Stevenson 20 May 2019 at 2:58 pm - Reply

    Thank you to all those who fasted and prayed. I admit, I could have done more. Rejoicing in the result.

  47. Joan Mosely 20 May 2019 at 8:55 pm - Reply

    Jesus bids us shine with a clear pure light
    Like a little candle, burning in the night
    In this world of darkness so let us shine,
    You in your small corner, and I in mine.

    That’s a lot of candle power!

  48. Kurt Mahlburg 29 May 2019 at 11:26 am - Reply

    Well this article certainly proved prophetic!

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