From The Canberra Declaration
A QUIET café in Hobart has become the unlikely setting for a bold new chapter in Australian public life. In the heart of Battery Point, The Way—a simple Christian bookshop and coffee spot—has grown into a meeting place where elected leaders and believers gather to pray for the nation and seek God’s direction for government.
Since opening in 2024, owners Timothy and Deborah Cranshaw have hosted a series of “corporate prayer dinners” that draw Christian MPs alongside members of the wider ekklesia. “These evenings begin around shared tables and continue in focused, Scripture-led prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide every step,” says Cranshaw.
But these clearly sincere Christians are including Israel as somehow an essential part of their mission. This is the controversial doctrine of Christian Zionism.
Tasmanian Treasurer and former federal senator Eric Abetz recently led the seventh such gathering, calling for courage and unity as Australia steps into what he described as a “promised land” moment.
Cranshaw says these dinners are remarkable in their purpose: to see politicians serve not only as lawmakers but also as spiritual leaders who recognise Jesus as Lord over their work. “Passages from Isaiah, Exodus, and Matthew shape the prayers, reminding participants that true kingdom government flows from obedience to God, not allegiance to power or popularity,” he says.
“We have even witnessed extraordinary signs—like the striking appearance of an eagle-shaped cloud over Parliament House—underscoring the sense of divine appointment.
“The vision is clear: Christian MPs cannot shoulder the spiritual battle of politics alone. Intercessors, prophetic voices, and prayerful supporters are vital partners in advancing God’s kingdom through government.
“What began in a small Tasmanian café now points to a model that could be replicated across Australia, calling believers to pray with their leaders and for their nation.
“Australia stands at a crossroads. Will we settle for politics as usual, or will we join in seeking God’s will for our land?” asks Cranshaw.
Cairns News supports the vision of spiritual renewal for our essentially Christian nation, whose Constitutional Preamble includes the words “we the people of the states …. humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God”.
However many readers will have reservations about the cafe operators’ advocacy of Christian Zionism, with “biblical prayer for Australia, Tasmania and Israel”. Is no prayer offered for any other nation? We understood the gospel was universal.
“One highlight of the corporate prayer dinners involved the spiritual unification between Israel and Australia as outlined in Isaiah 14:1, sealed in prayer with three Christian MPs and the Israeli Ambassador to Australia, in November 2024,” said Cranshaw.
“For Yahweh will have compassion on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land. The foreigner will join himself with them, and they will unite with the house of Jacob. (Isaiah 14:1)
“This was a historic moment for the nation of Australia. Prophecy was fulfilled in front of our eyes, with our nation coming into its destiny aligned with Israel. All this, occurring in a tiny cafe that God had chosen and made His own for such a time as this.”
We would note that Isaiah’s prophecies in respect of biblical Israel were fulfilled in Christ and long before the modern nation state of Israel, which was originally proposed by the so-called father of Zionism Theodor Herzl to be a secular, European-style state settled largely by Jews.
While the highly militarized state of Israel could be seen as something of a bulwark against Islamist regimes, Israel and its worldwide networks have developed a highly corrupt system of political extortion and influence peddling as seen in the Epstein affair.
We also note that a number of Jewish NGOs are major advocates of immigration, which includes Islamic people.
Charlie Kirk himself, although holding Christian Zionist beliefs, became keenly aware of the tactics of this global Zionist network and its manipulations.
