CAC Prayer Conference 2006

This was the theme of the conference held on 23 - 25 August in Kuala Lumpur. More than 150 Methodists came for this with Bishop Dr. Hwa Yung as the theme speaker and Dr. Lo Lung-Kwong, Head of Theology Division, Chinese University of Hong Kong, the workshop speaker.

The CAC President, Rev. Boh Che Suan, opened the conference with his exhortation to pray at every occasion and as the Spirit leads (Eph. 6:18-19). He pointed out that there is no time limit to pray on every occasion.

Bishop Hwa Yung gave three messages. He noted that prayer conferences have been held by various Annual Conferences and hopes that they will continue and culminate at the General Conference Prayer Convention in August 2007.

For revival to come there needs to be genuine repentance. Bishop Hwa Yung drew attention to the state of the Methodist churches. Although many members are middle class, yet much sin have spread like a virus infection. If there is no repentance revival will not come.

But the ultimate goal of revival is for the glory of God. As Moses showed, his desire to see God's glory gave rise to prayer, asking God to show Himself to him. And God's glory filled the tabernacle after Moses had obeyed and the people purified themselves.

Three requirements are needed for bringing revival:
1. Powerful preaching;
2. Open to the works of the Holy Spirit;
3. Sacrificing all for the Gospel.

There was also another aspect of the Conference directed to the personal prayer life. Dr Lo Lung-Kwong conducted two workshops on "Praying Life" and "Living Prayer." Prayer is the focus of life, a natural part of life.

In and through prayer from the deepest part of our heart we meet God face to face and can live courageously. Prayer is life transforming and we can face darkness and sickness, not afraid of death because Jesus has already conquered all of these. So we see that prayer and earthly living are closely connected.

Finally, there was also time at the conference for the ministry of prayer. Half of the participants asked to be prayed for and many were touched by the grace of God.

Based on the article by
Rev. Khon Weng Joo
Editor, Southern Bell (CAC)