Debbie Lim is only 10 years old but she has already grasped a spiritual disicpline that many Christian adults are still struggling with. Together with 27 other children from the Alor Star Trinity Baptist Church, she joined thousands of adults throughout the nation in the recent Merdeka 40-day Prayer and Fast.

Debbie skipped dinner every night for 40 days and at the end of the fasting period, with the help of her mother, estimated the money she would have saved from skipping the meals and donated it to charity. Her aunt and also Bible class teacher, Pam Sim, recalled: "During the period, we sometimes went out for dinner and she would sit and watch us eat. She was really determined to fast."

Pam said that she decided to challenge her class of nine- to 12-year-old children to fast after NECF Malaysia staff went to the church in June to launch the Prayer and Fast. The response astounded her. In all, 28 children participated. Most of them fasted at various times, but four (including Debbie) fasted the entire period.

Did Debbie understand the significance of the fast? Pam believed she did. "Her mother used the NECF prayer and fast booklet for their nightly devotion. I’m sure Debbie would have learned from there. Also, she was present when the NECF staff launched the prayer and fast in church."

Lessons to glean from Debbie’s story: Never underestimate children’s ability to grasp spiritual matters and their tenacity to persevere; and never underrate the influence parents (or aunts) and the church have over their children.