Source/Author: By Eunice Khoo

Prayer United

Prayer United gathered at various locations in prayer and worship as the body of Christ on Malaysia Day, 16th September 2015. The Malaysia Day Pray theme this year was ‘M-CUP : Malaysia Day: a Call to Unite in Prayer’ and we saw Christians from different denominations and different languages coming together in prayer.

More than 10 combined prayer gatherings associated with prayer united were held throughout the nation on the 52nd year of Malaysia’s formation, in areas including Klang Valley, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and Kuching.

Klang Valley saw a colourful gathering at Trinity Methodist Church Petaling Jaya, as close to 600 gathered together in unity. The group that gathered came from all walks of life, including many youths and young adults, as well as people of various ethnicities.

The prayer day gathering in Klang Valley began with a flag parade and dance, led by our East Malaysian friends. All were dressed in costumes representing the diversity of cultures in our land, coming in to the rhythm of the song Harapan Bangsa, declaring the hope of our nation.

Representatives from various networks, churches and denominations were present that day, leading different segments of the program including the keynote address and intercessions. Matthew Punnose from the Mar Thoma Church said the opening prayer before we continued into a time of praise and worship. Bishop Dr. Ong Hwai Teik, the Chairman of this year’s Malaysia Day Prayer in his welcome address, commended those present on their commitment to gather on that significant day.

As one of the organisers of the Malaysia Day Prayer – MCUP 2016, Prayer United, represented by chairman Bishop Emeritus Dr Hwa Yung gave an exhortation. Explaining the heart and purpose behind Prayer United, namely to ‘...Light up Malaysia with prayer’. We were all encouraged to persevere in prayer, as we reach the one-year mark of our two year commitment to unbroken prayer for the nation.

Following on from that, Archbishop Elect Ng Moon Heng of the Anglican Diocese of South East Asia, focussed on the way forward as we see the many happenings in our country. Speaking from the book of Jeremiah, he exhorted us not to react in fear, despair, anger, distrust and hopelessness. Instead we are to ‘seek the welfare of the city ... and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.’ Jeremiah 29:7, thus letting His light shine!

Appropriately following the message, we entered a time of confession and repentance, asking God to ‘Forgive us... whose love is better than life... whose grace extends to all...and enable us to be the people we could be that His name may be on the lips of all the people in this world.’

Intercessory prayer was held in different languages by various leaders. Dr Hermen Shastri, General Secretary – Council of Churches of Malaysia and Sandra Tagal of Hadassah ministry led the congregation in prayer in Bahasa Malaysia for the leaders of the country, the many races, the wealth of the nation and the future of the youths. The congregation then joined hearts in prayer - for the different areas of church ministry, family and government. They were covered in different languages by leaders of different denominations. There was a clear picture of unity in diversity and people gathered in groups of three’s or four’s to cover the various topics in praying, honouring each other’s prayer styles and expressions.

This year, we focussed also on the topic of Women, Children and Refugees. Althea Desonny Tuzan led us in prayer for the children, along with Abbegail Peters. As the Spirit led, we prayed for the women in our midst as well as the youths in the meeting. The leaders of the church took turns to bless the younger generation in the meeting, and vice versa.

The meeting ended with a declaration based on Jeremiah 30, while we lamented on the state of the land, we declared God’s ‘...justice righteousness, peace and harmony...’ over the nation, an end to ‘...racial discrimination and racial strife...’ and confessed and repented of our wrongs towards the migrants and foreigners.

As we sang ‘Yesuslah Tuhan’ over the nation, there was much rejoicing and a clear sense of God’s presence. We were challenged to answer the call to seek God’s face to fill the cup of our nation with His blessing.

We believed all who gathered were blessed as we interceded in unity for the nation. God was truly present during the prayer gathering and we were left hungry for more moments of corporate prayer. We were challenged to renew our commitment to pray, knowing that as His people ‘humble themselves, and pray and seek My (God’s) face and turn from their wicked ways,’ God ‘will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’ 2 Chronicles 7:14