At last I have signed up for one of Miss Jocelyn's challenges. For twenty days I have pledged to pray specifically for one country, and, being the patriot I am, I have signed up on behalf of New Zealand. Now, this is not just rampant favouritism on my part, although I must admit there is a bit of that included in there! But I know the intricate workings of my society very well, you see, and are we ever in need of prayer!

Here in New Zealand we have one of the most fantastic National Anthems of all time. Don't believe me? Just have a look at the lyrics...

God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

Men of every creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our state,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our free land.
From dishonour and from shame,
Guard our country's spotless name,
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nations' van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.

Fantastic, aren't they? Doesn't New Zealand sound such wonderful, spiritual nation? So what's the problem?

Well, the simple problem with this is that hardly a word of it is true. It is so ridiculously false that most New Zealanders are ashamed f it and it is hardly ever sung, and then only usually the first verse. In fact, most New Zealanders don't even know that it has five verses, let alone know them! The government is currently attempting to have it changed, with the blessing of a good half of the nation.

New Zealand, you see, is an entirely secular, modern western nation. Sure it might be vastly underpopulated, but the small population are well advanced in all the modern trends rampant today. Technologically, we're behind America only in cell phone coverage and internet speed. Socially, we're roaring ahead...

Our government is heavily involved in the UN, and our 'female' prime minister, although rude, course, hideously ugly, and an all round disgrace to her sex, has been very influential there for all the wrong reasons. Just in this term of government she has legalised same-sex marriage, criminalised spanking, and heavily subsidised abortions.

Taxes here are enormous, with many families paying almost 50% of their income in various ways to the government. In return, the government pays for or heavily subsidises schools and kindergartens as well as all health care. They also pay out enormous sums of money in unemployed, sick and domestic benefits.

Because of this, New Zealand has to be one of the only countries in the world to have absolutely no homeless citizens, apart from those who do it of their own choice. Nowhere in New Zealand will you see beggars or people sleeping on pavements. It just doesn't happen here. In fact, it's illegal. If the police find you on the street, they'll pick you up and force you to be cared for.

Now, all this sound fantastic, doesn't it? But the reality is we have a nation full of complacent people who look to the government to take care of them. And the government takes full advantage of that, and are quickly proving that, s long as they pay the people enough, they can pass what laws they want.

And New Zealanders are happy with that. So long as they can still have their houses, boats and barbeques and preserve their relaxed lifestyles, they'll complain about rising taxes and corrupt politicians, but at the end of the term they'll vote them back in again. It's really rather pathetic.

So, before this becomes a rant, I shall state my prayer points. For the next twenty days, I pledge to pray:

For those who would like to know more on New Zealand, I have written a post on her here.