Given what is happening in our country, we would urge everyone to focus our prayers on three items specifically.
1. CABINET RESHUFFLE & 1MDB
A. For Peace, Stability & Righteousness in the Nation
- Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on Tuesday 28 July a list of new ministerial appointments to take effect on 29th July. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was dropped as Deputy Prime Minister, and replaced by Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi. Four other ministers have been dropped together with the Attorney General. Najib also appointed seven new ministers and nine new deputy ministers.
- Let us pray for God’s hand to be upon all those holding the reins of power so that justice, righteousness, peace and stability will prevail in the country. As Proverbs 21:1 states: ‘The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.’ Pray that God will use this situation for His glory, and the good of all in our land.
- Let us pray for those in the new cabinet that they will use their authority solely to advance righteousness in our nation and its wellbeing. Pray that the political leaders, both in government and opposition, will act with wisdom and responsibility to enable the nation to sail safely through this crisis. Pray against all forms of evil and deceit, and that wickedness and corruption be exposed and uprooted in government and country.
- Pray also in particular for Christians MPs, leaders and others in positions of influence, that they will have the wisdom and courage stand up for truth and morality. Pray that they will find grace to act for the common good of all peoples and so shape the political scenario in the nation in a manner that glorifies God.
B. For Truth and Justice
- Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was the Attorney-General and the key figure in the official investigations before the reshuffle. He is now replaced by former Federal Court judge Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali. Pray that investigations will progress without hindrance or delay.
- Let us pray that truth will be reached. Pray that all involved in the investigation will do so without fear or favour, to fulfill properly the fiduciary responsibility of their office. Pray that both those involved in the inquiry and those helping with the inquiry (including witnesses and whistle blowers) will be shielded from threats, various forms of harm, and any unjust legal actions.
- Pray for the Malaysian public will be wise and be able to discern truth from lies in face of the mass of confusing information on the subject, and will thereby act accordingly.
2. PRAY FOR THE CHURCH IN MALAYSIA
- That as the church sees the tragedies hitting our nation, we will be awakened to pray and seek God’s face in repentance and unity. Pray that the church as a whole will know that decisiveness of this hour for our nation, and take wholeheartedly the challenge to pray. Pray for a deep sense of longing for revival and hunger for God’s Spirit to work in Malaysia among Christians of all generations.
- Pray for unity among our church leaders and between churches of different denominations. Pray for holiness and a return to First Love, as well forgiveness and efforts of reconciliation towards those who have hurt us. Pray that the Church will work together and coordinate their resources in empowering impoverished communities in Sabah and Sarawak, and also the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia.
- Pray for Christian communities to be a distinctive presence as light and salt in their neighbourhoods, suburbs, towns and cities. Pray for the Church to rise up in times like this, discerning the times and having the wisdom to act. Pray for hearts of compassion, that we will be Christ-like and loving, growing in holiness and purity, realizing our identity and privilege as children of God. Pray that Christians will know the authority we have in Christ because ‘God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control’ (2 Tim 1:7). Pray for a righteous indignation towards malice and injustice, that we as the church will ‘…seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.’ (Micah 6:8).
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