GDOP 2012: Call to unity for the Malaysian church
By Debbie Loh
Photos by NECF Malaysia
THE Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) on 27 May this year coincided with Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost marks the coming of the Holy Spirit upon believers in the early Church as recorded in the book of Acts. Beyond the speaking of tongues, however, what will count as a real revival is whether lives are transformed.
This GDOP, Christians were called to transformation - and for this change to begin with themselves first and in their churches. "Judgement begins in the house of the God. Before God judges nations, He will judge the Church first. How can a righteous God judge the nations if he does not judge his people first?" cautioned Rev Andy Chi, the Executive Secretary of the NECF Prayer Commission, when delivering the message at the main GDOP event in SIB KL in Petaling Jaya.
Rev Andy Chi, Executive Secretary of NECF Prayer Commission
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So before the gathering of about 1,500 people got started on the official list of prayer items, the pastors and members of different churches present were asked to repent of the sins that kept churches in disunity: quarrelling, back-biting, self-righteousness, pride, gossip. Many pastors came forward in an impromptu altar call and knelt in tearful prayer as people in the congregation joined hands or formed their own groups to pray for repentance and forgiveness. Leaders and members alike were urged to make peace with those whom they had hurt or whom they were hurt by.
Unity among churches and Christians is crucial if the Malaysian Church is to have spiritual authority in praying for and leading the nation's healing and transformation. "We want the Lord to heal our land of all its wickedness and dysfunctions, but we ourselves are not broken enough. As a Malaysian Church we are not united enough in prayer," said Pastor Dr Lew Lee Choo, SIB KL's Deputy Senior Pastor.
In praying for the nation, Christians were called to repent of their cynicism against the country and for speaking ill against it. A prayer declaration to restore love for Malaysia and for the return of her lost resources through immigration was made. Other prayer items were for the restoration truth and justice, of relationships within churches, families and between generations, restoration of racial unity among Malaysia's ethnic groups, for Sabah and Sarawak and for those who are marginalised and suffering. Watch this GDOP video on social issues in Malaysia that was screened during the prayer rally.
Seeing God as who He is - our Redeemer, Restorer, Rebuilder and Rewarder - and praying for change in accordance with His character - was the theme for GDOP 2012. Numerous GDOP gatherings were held in various churches across Malaysia for the week of 21 - 27 May.
Following the GDOP is the 90 Days of Blessing during which Christians and churches who have participated in the GDOP are urged to start initiatives and alliances with one another to bring practical, transformational blessings to their communities.
Keep on being a prayer watchman! Coming next is NECF's 40-Day Fast & Prayer. We're continuing prayer for our country Malaysia as she enters her year of Jubilee on 16 Sept 2012, Malaysia Day. Get your Hope of Jubilee fast and prayer booklets now. |
