“DO you love Malaysia? Are you willing to lay down your life for your country?” This was the startling challenge thrown by Dr David Demien to some 800 people who attended the recent Klang Valley Merdeka Prayer Rally held in Kuala Lumpur.
He further asked: “Do you want to know God’s plan for Malaysia?” After a pause, he continued, “Why should God reveal His plans to you if you don’t love your country?”
Those questions cut to the core, evidenced by the unabashed weeping after his message when the congregation broke into small groups to pray for the nation.
Dr Demien was an eloquent speaker who spoke with passion and conviction and without notes, saved for the three occasions when he read passages from the Bible.
Believing that “the hour for Malaysia has come”, he said that God has heard the cries of His people in Malaysia and would move regardless of “the impossibilities, the giants, the mountains and what you see around you”. The Egyptian-born medical doctor who now resides in Canada, recalled the time when Israel was standing at the edge of Canaan after coming out of Egypt. God was going to lead Israel into Canaan even though the Canaanites were like ‘giants’, he pointed out.
“Do not let your fears of the impossibilities hinder you from believing; do not let the giants of the land melt your heart,” he urged, and added that the Church had the responsibility to move God’s heart.
“Sodom and Gomorrah were not destroyed because of their sins but because there were no 10 righteous people in the cities,” he remarked. Likewise, God was looking out for righteous people who would intercede for their cities so that His judgement would be averted. “In His wrath, He remembers mercy,” he reminded the attendees.
The rally was the final event of the NECF Malaysia Merdeka prayer programme which included the nationwide 40-day Prayer and Fast and the National Prayer Conference of which Dr Demien was a speaker. The other speaker was Dr Iman Santoso who is the General Coordinator of National Prayer Network, Indonesia, which develops prayer networks in cities throughout Indonesia.
Earlier at the start of the rally, when introducing the guests- of-honour representing the Government, NECF Secretary-General Rev Wong Kim Kong said the Government recognised prayer and had personally asked the Christian community to pray in times of crises – such as the bird flu crisis – and at critical moments, such as the recent general election.
KLANG VALLEY RALLY
From left: Datin Joan and Datuk Dr Max Ongkili, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, NECF Vice-Chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng, and the speaker, Dr David Demien. |
The special guests were Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili. Speaking on behalf of the Government, Tan Sri Dompok conveyed the Government’s appreciation for organising the event to pray for the country. He revealed there were at least four Christians in the Cabinet and they had been voicing Christian concern. “I see no way that religious freedom can be taken away from us,” he said. While he was thankful for religious freedom, he cautioned Christians to take the responsibility to defend this right.
Tan Sri Dompok’s message was followed by prayers from seven pastors and church leaders who each prayed over an aspect of the country including the Government, education, family, Orang Asli, and the Church.
The rally climaxed in a time of intercession following Dr Demien’s message where the attendees gathered in clusters to pray for the nation. Many were seen and heard weeping as they prayed in response to the message.
KLANG VALLEY RALLY
Many, like these, wept freely during the small-group prayer session
in response to the message. |
ELSEWHERE...
Prayer rallies were also held all over Malaysia on various days. Up north in Alor Setar, about 180 Christians from six English- and Mandarin-speaking churches had a patriotic ending to their rally on Aug 30 by singing Negaraku at midnight, reported Pr Kuilan.
The following morning, 33 participants from five churches took part in the town’s Merdeka Parade, marching under the banner “Gabungan Gereja-Gereja”. In the afternoon, the churches held a social gathering with the poor as the special guests. Guest-of-honour Alor Setar MP Dato Chor Chee Heung gave away hampers to 80 needy people, most of them nominated by the State Welfare Department. The events were all organised by the combined churches and Alor Setar Pastors Fellowship.
Over in Penang, 450 Christians from 10 English-speaking churches gathered for a great time of celebration and prayer for the nation on Aug 29. Organised by the “Love Penang Network”, the rally also urged participants to join a citywide inter-church “40 Days of Purpose Campaign” to be held next year to impact the city for Christ, according to Pr Lim Soon Hock.
In Dungun, Terengganu, over 30 members of the Dungun Elim Church ushered in Merdeka Day at midnight with shouts of “Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka” followed by “Jesus is Lord’ 14 times – one for each state.
The meeting, held in Mandarin, was attended by youths, adults and senior citizens who interceded for unity among churches, evangelism within their communities and a righteous government to prevail. Pr Patsy Lim said the meeting ended with a prayer of declaration that the “Dungun Church be a lighthouse that shines continuously from Dungun forever”.
Right down in Johor Baru, over 600 Christians from some 10 English- and Mandarin-speaking churches met at the rally organised by the JB Pastors Fellowship. Pr Tay Wah Seng reported that there was a joyful sense of expectation at the rally. Those who attended wished that more would catch the vision and burden to pray, he said.
In Melaka, over 130 people turned up at the nine-church rally on Aug 27. The rally was organised by Melaka Prayer Network together with the host church, Calvary Life Assembly, and participating churches. Lyn Tan reported a sense of unity at the rally.
Marian Tan reported that in Bintulu, about 70 people from New Life Fellowship met on Merdeka Day to pray for the nation.
Finally, NECF’s Ngeh Hoong Eng reported that over 1,000 Christians from the Chinese churches attended the Klang Valley Chinese rally at FGA Kuala Lumpur on Aug 27. The meeting was well organised, with enough time for the crowd to break for small-group intercession, thus making the rally more meaningful for the participants.
Part of the large crowd at the
Klang Valley Chinese rally at FGA KL. |
Christians in Bintulu praying at their rally. |
MARCHING FOR JESUS: The 33-member
contingent representing Alor Setar churches
at the town’s Merdeka parade. | |
