What Christian America Can Learn From Australia
Hope Over Fear, Unity Over Division
Eyes on Christ | Vol. 18, Issue 19 | May 7, 2025 | Ordinary Time
Dear Friends,
I ask for your prayers for India and Pakistan, as both nations face escalating tensions following recent missile strikes.
On May 6, India launched "Operation Sindoor," targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Pakistan's Punjab province. At least nine civilians were killed, including a child, and dozens more were injured. In retaliation, Pakistan has claimed shooting down five Indian fighter jets and destroying a brigade headquarters (yet to be independently verified and disputed by India).
This conflict traces back to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists. India attributes the assault to Pakistan-backed militants, while Pakistan denies involvement. The situation has led to diplomatic expulsions, treaty suspensions, and widespread fear of further escalation.
Please join me in praying for peace, protection for the innocent, and wisdom for leaders on both sides. May hearts be softened, and may the violence cease. Amen.
As we pray for peace in India and Pakistan, let us also pray for wise leadership in our nation and around the world. Times like these highlight the impact that our leaders' choices have on billions of lives in a globally connected world.
What Christian America Can Learn From Australia:
Hope Over Fear, Unity Over Division
In recent weeks, two countries (Canada and Australia) held their federal elections, each delivering surprising wins and losses. Last week, I shared What Canada Has to Teach Christians in America, drawing insights from Prime Minister Carney’s victory speech. Soon after, we witnessed a dramatic turn in Australia with Prime Minister Albanese’s unexpected win and the defeat of Dutton. Like Poilievre in Canada, Dutton also lost his seat, a striking parallel. So, in the spirit of reflection, here’s another allegory drawn from these events, presented through my modern Screwtape Letters series, this time with the introduction of three new characters.
Letter from Uncle Baalzebub
On the Australian Labor Victory and Our Continued Failures Down Under
My dear nephews Malice and Vitriol,
I write to you with smoldering fury and singed whiskers. Our Australian operation has collapsed with a pathetic whimper that has the Lower Command buzzing with disappointment. Just when we thought we had successfully exported our perfected American model of division, fear, and outrage to that sun-scorched continent, the insufferable Australians have betrayed us with their... optimism.
The results are catastrophic. Labor not only retained power but INCREASED their majority! After all our meticulous work cultivating discontent! After all those carefully crafted social media campaigns designed to make Australians fear their neighbors and resent their government! After successfully convincing our opposition candidate to imitate the belligerent posturing that works so splendidly elsewhere!
What went wrong?