by Pastor Daniel

Introduction designe rreplica watches
Everytime during this month of August, we will remember our nation. The reason - simply because it is independence day on the 31st August.  We celebrate 59 years of independence.  However, there are things that are happening in our country and we need to continually pray for the nation.

As I have continually emphasized the need to pray strategically for the nation and her leaders, allow me to put my thoughts onto paper for this month.

In Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

As such as the church which God has “put under the feet of our Lord Jesus, and gave him as head over all things to the church” (Eph 1:22), we need to pray.

What do we pray?  If there is indeed spiritual forces that govern and rule our land at this point of time, they are the 3 spiritual giants we need to pray against.

The Giant of Racism:
Our constitution in Article 153, says, “It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak, and the legitimate interests of OTHER COMMUNITIES in accordance with the provision of this Article”

Looking at the constitution correction, one has been over-emphasized at the expense of the other.  While there is a safeguard for the Bumiputras, it must also safeguard the legitimate interests of other communities.

That is why it is important to pray for the nation and her leaders to uphold the constitution of the nation well.  Racism has crept into our values today and it is sad how “natural” it is for us to look down on another race.  Is it because of the culture that was created?  If it is so, there must be a force behind it.  Let us pray against this and guard ourselves against racism in the church too.  We must look at all men as equal, help when necessary and love them all the same.

We allow the same spirit in the church when we begin to look down on each other.  That is why Paul in his letters emphasized that we are all EQUAL in the eyes of God, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free, man or woman.

The Giant of Religious Extremism: Panerai Replica
Prayer for religious freedom is vital in a multi-religious nation like Malaysia.  It offers the freedom to practice and propagate one’s religion.  In line with the Mandate of Christ to go and preach the gospel to all nations, we need constantly pray that this freedom is upheld.

Article 11 says, “Every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and subject of Clause (4) to propagate it.”

Any religion, taken to its extreme will endanger the freedom once proclaimed in our land.  As we respect the religions of others, we also practice and propagate ours in all freedom.  Let us thus pray that this freedom will not be taken away with the display of such extremism happening today.  We have seen how many issues are turned into either racial or religious issues, thus causing fear to many about their own religious convictions and practice.  

The Giant of Corruption
Last but not least, is this the giant of corruption?  Corruption is so blatant today, that it has caused Malaysia to fall even lower by 3 index today.  This problem will ripple over many social problems in our nation - inflation, poverty, crime and others.

When we pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation, it is against this giant that we battle.

Conclusion
As we pray for the nation, we also pray for the leaders of our nation.  Regardless of who those persons may be, let us pray for God’s mercy that leaders who recognize the faithfulness of the constitution will repent and be upright and rule the country with justice and peace.

WE are Christians and must stand in the gap for the nation.  Pick up a booklet to pray for the nation for the next 40 days (7/8 - 15/9).  God bless our nation!