Scott Morrison asks for more prayers, more love at Hillsong conference in Sydney

Scott Morrison and wife Jenny appeared on stage to a standing ovation at the Hillsong conference, leading 20,000 Christians in prayer.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny received a standing ovation as they took to the stage at the Hillsong conference in Sydney, leading the crowd in prayer.

An estimate 20,000 people are attending the annual event, which is one of the biggest Pentecostal gatherings in the world.

Mr Morrison, who attends the Horizon congregation in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney’s south, was asked to join Hillsong founder Brian Houston on stage last night.

Holding hands with Mrs Morrison and bowing his head, the PM led a prayer for military veterans, young people battling mental illness and farmers struggling with the ongoing drought.

“Lord, we pray for all of those veterans in our country who are doing it tough,” Mr Morrison began.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny at the Hillsong conference.

“We pray for young people who think about suicide and we pray Lord that you will break the curse of suicide.

“We proclaim it with veterans, we proclaim it with young people, we proclaim it with middle age people going through difficult trials, people suffering from mental health, we pray for remote Indigenous communities, young boys and girls … and we pray for all those families who live with disabilities … we pray you will give them peace and an avalanche of love.

“Lord, we pray for our country and thank you for it. But more than anything else, we thank you for Jesus and his love.”

Mr Morrison’s prayer received applause from those packed in to the enormous stadium, before he added: “Oh, I’ve got one more thing to pray for. I pray for the drought … Lord, we just pray for rain, that rain will fall on this nation.”

Mr Houston asked the PM about his unexpected election victory on May 18 and his declaration that he believes in miracles.

“God just walks with us,” he said. “You just walk the path that God gives you.”

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny during an Easter Sunday service at his Horizon Church. Picture: AAP

He was asked what Christians should pray for, and Mr Morrison replied: “Our nation needs more prayer, more worship. That’s how things are overcome.”

The ongoing debate surrounding religious freedom legislation, which the PM has indicated he will bring forward later in the year, was also mentioned.

Mr Morrison said it was important for him to be open about his devout faith in public.

“I speak about my faith with Jenny because I want everyone in this place to feel comfortable about talking about their faith in this country. It’s not a political agenda, it’s just who we are, it’s who you are.”

“The freedom to believe is so important, that needs to be nourished and that needs to be protected. What this country needs more than that is the love of God.”

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison offered prayers for veterans, young people contemplating suicide and farmers battling drought. Picture: Chris Kidd

He said Australia needs “more love, less judgment” before saying that he feels passionately about religious freedom.

“We’ll do what we must do from a legislative point of view,” he said.

“It’s not the laws that make freedom of religion work, it’s the culture that accepts it,” he told the crowd.

Mr and Mrs Morrison have attended the Hillsong conference on a number of occasions.