Imagine
sitting down with your son or daughter, bowing your head in prayer, and
wondering whether the government would approve of the words you are
about to speak.
That may sound like something from a dystopian novel.
Yet in the Australian state of Victoria, government guidance is now
telling parents which prayers for their children are considered
acceptable—and which are not.
The guidance, issued as part of the
state’s approach to sexuality and gender identity, insists that people
who identify as LGBTQA are not “sick or broken” and do not need to be
“fixed.” It then reassures parents that they remain free to share their
beliefs and values with their children.
But there is a catch.
According
to the guidance, some forms of prayer may be considered harmful. The
government has even outlined examples of prayers it considers acceptable
and unacceptable.
Prayers for guidance, peace, reassurance, and reminders of God’s love are permitted.
Prayers
asking God for a change in desires, for strength not to act on
attractions, discussions of repentance, or prayers encouraging celibacy
are not.
Pause and consider what that means. 
