Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for more love and more prayer as he led thousands of Christians in prayer at the Hillsong Conference in Sydney. 

The Prime Minister and his wife Jenny, who in previous years have attended the conference, were given a standing ovation by 21,000 people as they took the stage at the opening night of one of the biggest events on the Pentecostal calendar in Australia.

Closing his eyes and holding hands with his wife Jenny, Mr Morrison prayed for veterans, young people thinking about suicide, and rain to ease drought to restore rural communities. 

“We pray for our country and we thank you for it,” Mr Morrison concluded.  

Asked by Hillsong founder Brian Houston what Christians should pray for, Mr Morrison responded: “Our nation needs more prayer, more worship. That’s how things are overcome.”

Referring to debate about religious freedom legislation being finalised by the government, Mr Morrison said it was important to be open about his faith. 

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

“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.”

He thanked Christians for their prayers during the campaign that he credited with helping deliver the Coalition government a miracle win. 

“People were praying for us, people were fasting for us.”