Current Concerns for your prayers
Devastating floods
Barely three weeks after the first wave of floods rolled over Johor, Melaka and Pahang in December, the rains fell again in January. This time around, the water levels rose higher, causing more than 100,000 residents in Johor alone to flee to relief centres. The heavy rainfall has also flooded parts of Sabah and Selangor and forced thousands to evacuate.
Many have blamed the unusually heavy rains on the change of climate due to man’s irresponsible acts of deforestation and overdevelopment, which have caused a rise in the earth’s temperature. Climate expert Associate Prof Dr Fredolin Tangang had said the rising temperature of the Indian Ocean brought about by a series of events starting with the melting of ice in Greenland, could have caused the unusual and severe weather conditions in South-East Asia (The Star, Jan 21).
Whatever the reasons are, let us go to our God – the Lord of the heavens – to stretch out His mighty hand. Pray also:
- For good coordination among government agencies and other NGOs as they work together to bring relief and aid to the victims;
- For the aid – whether cash or kind – to reach the victims directly without any hindrance;
- For the authority to wisely use the funds set aside to help the victims and that they will be restrained from acting corruptly;
- Against the expected rise in dengue, malaria and any other diseases in the affected areas;
- For the rebuilding of lives in the aftermath of the floods, that Malaysians and the Government will generously extend help to the victims to enable them to recover quickly; and
- For churches to work together to bring comfort and practical help to the many victims in their communities.
Teen sex crimes on the rise
Sex crimes are on the rise among teens as police statistics revealed that one in every 10 rapes this year was committed by schoolboys (The Star, Dec 11, 2006).
Data from the Malaysia’s Police College science studies unit showed that of the 1,833 rape cases reported from the nine months to September last year in the country, 216 offenders were below the age of 18.
Young offenders also accounted for 5 percent of murder cases out of a total of 473 cases to date, 15 percent of 1,669 rioting cases and 3 percent of 113,939 cases for theft, including vehicle theft and house-breaking.
The data revealed that young offenders also accounted for 6 percent of 15,038 drug trafficking and possession offences, during the period.
Juvenile crimes rose to 8,671 in January-September 2006 from 6,611 during the same time last year.
Police College science studies unit head assistant commissioner Amar Singh said children becoming involved in crime was a worrying sign and that more attention should be given to school children who often played truant. While there was no direct correlation between the truancy and crime, it could lead to drug abuse, addiction and crime.
Pray for parents to realise the gravity of their responsibilities to bring up their children to be responsible adults and conscientious citizens.
Divorce Rate Up
The divorce rate has reached a worrying stage in the country and there is nothing the Government can do to reduce the number (The Star, Dec 13, 2006).
That was the dismal picture painted by Women, Family and Community Development Ministry parliamentary secretary Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun who said it would be impossible for the Government to lower the number of divorce cases to a satisfactory level.
“Families face greater challenges from various aspects these days due to a hectic lifestyle as well as financial constraints.
“The National Family Development and Community Board had drawn up a module for pre-marriage courses,” she said.
Continue to pray for the Church and for Christians to be a good role model of strong, loving marriages to the community.
Rejected by family
Only 5% of former drug addicts who leave drug rehabilitation centres have family members willing to take them in, Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohamed Johari Baharum said (The Star, Nov 28, 2006).
The rest have to find their own way home and back into society and many are shunned. Only about 10% of the inmates at the centres received visits from family members.
Pray for our Christian brethren involved in the ministry of rehabilitating drug addicts. Pray that Christ’s love in them will touch the hearts of those they are ministering to and assure them of our Heavenly Father’s love for them even if their family members reject them.
Malaysia is 50
Malaysia celebrates its 50th year of independence this year., and to make it a memorable year, the Government has lined up elaborate programmes to inspire pride , loyalty and devotion to the country.
As a young nation, we wrestle with growing pains that sometimes threaten to overwhelm us. Discontentment, disenchantment and the fear of rising racial and religious extremism are driving many to leave the country for supposedly greener pastures. Pray for ourselves – for hearts that stay faithful to God, and eyes that are fixed on Him, no matter what our circumstances are.
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