Scott Morrison "called to do God's work" as PM
Scott Morrison has told an audience at a Christian conference on the Gold Coast that he was "called to do God's work" as Australia's Prime Minister.
The statement was recorded at the Australian Christian Churches conference last week and shared on Facebook by The Rationalist Society.
In the address, Morrison, a Pentecostal Christian, said the misuse of social media was "the work of the evil one" (ie the devil) and had a "corrosive effect on society".
“It is going to take our young people... it’s going to take their hope, it’s going to steal their hope,” he said.
“Sure, social media has its virtues and its values and enables us to connect with people in ways we’ve never had before, terrific, terrific, but those weapons can also be used by the evil one and we need to call that out.”
The PM said he had looked for signs from God during the 2019 election campaign and often prayed while working, as well as practicing the "laying-on of hands" when out visiting people.
Morrison said he had asked God for a “sign” while he was at an art gallery in New South Wales.
“And there right in front of me was the biggest picture of a soaring eagle,” he says in the video.
“The message I got that day was, Scott, you’ve got to run to not grow weary, you’ve got to walk to not grow faint, you’ve got to spread your wings like an eagle to soar like an eagle.”
He also revealed that he had practiced the laying on of hands when he visited victims of the devastating Cyclone Seroja in Western Australia.
“I’ve been in evacuation centres where people thought I was just giving someone a hug and I was praying, and putting my hands on people ... laying hands on them and praying in various situations,” he said.
“God has, I believe, been using us in these moments to be able to provide some relief and comfort and just some reassurance.”