Run of their lives
It was no coincidence that Run For The Nation (RunNat) 2009 fell on 10 October, or that there were 900 runners covering 1010km in the Klang Valley, or that the theme for the prayer run was taken from John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life and may have it abundantly."
It seemed as if the number 10- 10 was God's assurance that He will complete His plan for Malaysia. (Ten is the symbol of completion.)
Besides the Klang Valley, RunNat - an event endorsed by NECF Malaysia - was also held simultaneously in the other 13 states throughout Malaysia. Altogether, more than 1,500 runners covered 1,500km throughout the country.
On the morning of RunNat, the first teams of runners and team managers in the Klang Valley were up and about before sunrise. While runners got ready to run, the others interceded at the meeting hall at PJEFC for the entire prayer event. As many teams started their prayer run, updates flowed in from all states straight into RunNat's Twitter page.
The run concluded with corporate worship and prayer for the nation at PJEFC followed by a celebration lunch.
And when RunNat 2010 was unveiled during the corporate worship, it seemed as if the runners were warm-ing up again to run. (RunNat 2010 will coincide with the Global Day of Prayer gathering to be held at Stadium Melawati in Shah Alam.)
RunNat 2009 was a day when His people blessed the nation with intercession; in return, they were blessed by His presence at the run.
The RunNat journey was officially launched on May 31 at the Global Day of Prayer gathering in Petaling Jaya with the vision of inspiring youths from different denominations to be more prayerful over Malaysia.
RunNat prayer coordinator Ho Weng Hong shared, "Now, when I go to government departments to pay my rates or do my transactions, it means time to intercede. As I wait or talk to the government officers, I will pray for them to do their work efficiently and for God's blessings on those who fear Him. It's time we stop going to government departments just to do our business. We must aim to be transformational and we can start by praying."
Pr Chris Leong, director of Sports Partnership Malaysia which is a RunNat co-organiser, believes that RunNat has accelerated the advancement of God's kingdom in Malaysia. "Many believers will be activated out of their passivity, and others will be fast-forwarded into their God-given destiny," he said.
Reflections from RunNat Organising Chairman Victor Chua
When the idea to take RunNat national was first mooted late last year, we had no idea how people would respond to it. Our goals were to see the prayer run take place in every state capital of Malaysia; to cover 1010km of the Klang Valley; and to see different church members running and praying together. Despite the challenges, God in His faithfulness made all of this a reality.
"The last eight months has been an incredible journey for the RunNat Committee as we have seen God's favour and blessing upon so many that were involved. What is essentially a simple idea of combining running with praying has turned out to be much more than that. It has brought churches together. The young and the old running side by side and praying together for the same things is a symbol of what we desired to see - unity in the body of Christ.
"We have seen testimonies of how many were blessed by the journey itself. For some it has inspired confidence to come out of their comfort zone and believe God for greater things. For others it has opened the doors of possibility of real transformation taking place in our country.
"RunNat 2010 is going to be special as we partner with the Global Day of Prayer 2010 and see thousands upon thousands of Christians throughout the country praying for Malaysia!
"I would like to end by saying thank you to those who inspired, mentored, and prodded us on to the finish line! We keep with us learnt lessons and cherished memories that will keep us in good stead as we prepare for RunNat 2010.
Let's continue to run, pray and believe!" |
