"This moving of young hearts will be one of the greatest missionary movements in Malaysia," Jacobs said in her message at the yearly Klang Valley Merdeka (National Day) Prayer Rally organised by NECF Malaysia.

This year’s Klang Valley gathering is believed to be the largest ever with more than 3,000 Christians from various churches and denominations gathered at Dewan PGRM, Kuala Lumpur, on Aug 29 to pray for the country. The event was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Badawi, who was unable to attend. Energy, Multimedia and Communications Minister Datuk Amar Leo Moggie represented him to read his speech.

Jacobs, the President and founder of US-based Generals for Intercession, called for intense intercession for the nation because it would bring God’s promises to fulfilment. "The harvest is here and our prayers will ripen the harvest," she urged.

She also reminded participants of the Bible’s command to pray for the country’s leaders. It is irrelevant who the leaders are and how we feel about them, she said. "The command is that we pray for them, whoever they are."

Jacobs was echoing NECF Vice-Chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng who earlier said the country was in great need of our prayers during this time when it is undergoing leadership transition, and facing terrorist threat, a breakdown in social security and other troubles.

In his welcome message to the participants, Rev Eu also paid tribute to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir who has led the nation for the past 22 years – nearly half the nation’s existence. Rev Eu declared him the ‘Father of modern Malaysia’ and credited him for putting the country on steady economic growth and for his rule of religious and racial tolerance.

"We also look forward to working with Pak Lah (Dato’ Badawi), our future prime minister who is indeed a gift from God to Christians in the nation. Let us pray for a Joseph generation who will support him and help him to rule our country," he added.

Dato’ Badawi said in his speech that the Government was committed to religious freedom and appealed to Malaysian Christians to "continue to be model citizens who reject and denounce those who seek to sow discord in our society" (see page 5 for the full text of his speech.).

Participants also spent time praying for the country, led by NECF Secretary-General Rev Wong Kim Kong. Among the issues prayed over were the eradication of polarisation, economic sufficiency, terrorist threat and religious liberty.

KULAI Christians held its first Merdeka Prayer Rally at Kulai First Assembly on Aug 26, which was organised by the Kulai Ministers’ Fellowship. Over 100 Christians from five churches in the Johor town participated in the rally that was conducted in English, Tamil and Mandarin. Pr Tay Wah Seng, the guest speaker, reported that God’s presence was strongly felt and the participants, despite their language differences, enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship. Prayer truly breaks language boundaries.

Pr Tay was also present at the JOHOR BARU rally held at The Vineyard on Aug 29. Present were more than 420 Christians from over 10 churches, including the Tamil brethren who joined in via closed circuit television and heard the message in English interpreted in Tamil. The worship team comprised members from four churches, signalling a willingness of churches to find time to work together. Pr Tay also noticed a better participation of the traditional churches this year. The mood was one of celebration, joy and spontaneity.

Further up in BATU PAHAT, the turnout at the town’s first Merdeka rally at Gereja Grace on Aug 22 overwhelmed the organising committee comprising members from several churches, Jennifer Wong reported. The rally attended by about 500 Christians from eight churches was followed by a time of makan fellowship where participants mingled unreservedly. Those who spoke to Jennifer said they were impacted by the individual prayer declarations of the pastors from the eight churches. They believed their prayers were an oracle to the community. To keep up this spirit of togetherness, the committee has planned another makan fellowship on Sept 26 for pastors and elders.

There was a power failure halfway through the rally at SANDAKAN, Sabah, but electricity was restored after prayer, reported Lucy Chua who joined some 300 Christians there. Her husband, Rev Johnson Chua who heads Open Doors Malaysia, shared what God was doing in some countries. The congregation then separated in three language groups – English, Hakka and BM – for prayers.

The SEREMBAN rally on Aug 29 attracted over 550 Christians from 15 churches, said Pr Voon Yuen Woh. The bilingual meeting (English and Mandarin) was organised by the Seremban Pastors Fellowship and held at Agape Gospel Assembly. Rev Barry Boucher, who earlier spoke at the Merdeka Prayer Conference in Petaling Jaya, spoke from the Book of Daniel and later prayed for those pastors present and their spouses. At the gathering, the congregation was reminded of God’s goodness to Malaysia and a sense of assurance flooded the congregation that God is in control of the events in their churches, their city and the nation.

In KUANTAN, 200 Christians from nine churches of various denominations gathered for the English-speaking rally at Triquetra Revival Centre on Aug 29, reported Eng Cheng. The rally was organised by the Kuantan English Pastors and Leaders Fellowship which also organised prayer drives around the Kuantan town. At the same time, about 100 Christians from seven churches attended the Chinese rally organised by the Kuantan Chinese Pastors and Leaders Fellowship at Christian Praise Centre.

Likewise in KUALA TERENGGANU, the Christians who turned up at the rally welcomed the dawn of a new year for the nation. The rally at Lifeline AOG started at 9p.m. and lasted until 6a.m. the next day. Though the number was small (about 50), the number of churches represented was significant – seven out of 10 churches in the town. Also significant was the fact that the rally was the first combined churches all-night prayer gathering, said Pr Koshy Thomas. Participants spent time in corporate repentance over the sin of racialism within the Christian community.

The PENANG rally at The DOME on Aug 31 recorded a huge turnout of 1,100 Christians from the evangelical, Catholic and mainline churches. Organised by the Christian Federation of Malaysia, the rally was upbeat, worshipful and filled with a sense of unity in prayer, observed Rev Koe Choon Huan, Chairman of the Penang CFM chapter. The 40 churches represented at the rally demonstrated a growing unity among the island’s churches.

At least 16 other towns nationwide also held the annual Merdeka prayer rally at various times before Aug 31.