Background

A group of Christians from all denominations have organised a nationwide prayer rally, entitled SONRISE 2000. This prayer initiative has been planned to begin at sunrise on the east coast of Australia at Brunswick Heads, NSW, and will spread across the nation to the east coast city of Perth, WA. Prayers will be heard across the nation as the first rays of sunlight sweep across the countryside. The purpose of this united prayer wave is for all Christians to link together in prayer for our nation as we begin the new millennium. Numerous townships and cities right across Australia have registered to be part of the Sonrise 2000 prayer wave by making a commitment to pray specifically for our nation on January 1, 2000.

Organisers of this major event have spent eighteen months planning and contacting Christian groups from all denominations resulting in a large group of Christians who have made a commitment to meet for prayer in their own cities, towns and villages on January 1, 2000. Endorsement of this prayer initiative has been given by International Australian Evangelist Dr Bill Newman and Darren Beadman, world renowned Australian jockey who recently returned to racing after leaving the sport two years ago to become a Christian pastor.

Press Release

In light of recent developments in East Timor, an urgency for national prayer has emerged. Australia's commitment to lead the UN peacekeeping force has resulted in the biggest single military exercise undertaken in Australia since World War II.

Sonrise 2000 organisers have now turned their attention to asking all Australians to pray fervently for our nation as a matter of urgency. Our young men and women have left our shores to take up their positions as peace-keepers, just as many great young men and women have done in the past. In the past there were casualties and many of Australia's finest citizens did not return to our shores. It is in front of this backdrop that the Sonrise 2000 prayer wave is now asking all Australians (including those who have registered to be part of Sonrise 2000) to join together in sincere, heartfelt prayer for the crisis^* in East Timor. In particular we ask prayer for all Australians who will travel to East Timor to be part of the peacekeeping process. We pray in Jesus' name for their protection.

The Sonrise 2000 committee is at present contacting all groups seeking a commitment from them to keep a prayer vigil alive for as long as the peacekeeping force remains in East Timor. Christians from across the nation are praying for peace in East Timor, protection for all Australians and divine intervention in order to end the crisis and bring peace and justice to the nation of East Timor.

^* Food, shelter, protection for people of East Timor and for their future rebuilding of their community.

For further information, contact
Mr Alan Smith
02 6649 1249