A Call For Prayer On May 13

Latest Testimony on 13/5/09.

Prayer Changes Things

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says, “ If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Many were at DUMC last night for an Inter-Church and Inter-Denomination Prayer Gathering for our nation. It was so encouraging to hear that Senior Pastors, Pastors and Church Leaders from various churches from around KL & PJ went for a Prayer Walk along the streets of KL & PJ yesterday (13/5/09), even under the very hot sun.

After a time of worship and a short sharing by Rev Mark Geppert who is known to have done a Prayer Walk for our nation from JB to KB, 8 distinguished Pastors from different denominations, were called upon to lead in prayer for different areas for our nation.

It was most encouraging to see the AG Superintendant, Rev Ong Sek Liang, praying for the Churches, Pastors and Church Workers in Malaysia. Bishop Ng from the Anglican Church and also the Head of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, closed the meeting with a prayer of blessing for those present and for the nation.

Although our Church did not participate in the prayer event, it was encouraging to see a number of Calvarites at the meeting.

Today (14/5/09), is the dawn of a new generation (in Biblical perspective) for Christians in Malaysia. We can expect God to bless us as a nation and as individuals. Let us all be encouraged, be blessed and choose to be the salt and the light for God in Malaysia.

Jeremiah 33 : 2 - 3
"This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it - the Lord is His name :'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Jeremiah 29 : 11 - 14, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you."

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THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAY 13 1969 RIOTS

This coming May 13 marks the 40th anniversary of the darkest hour in the history of our nation of Malaysia.

May 13, 1969 was the day when hundreds of peace-loving Malaysians of various races went berserk and slaughtered one another in a racial unrest never seen before in our land. No Malaysian of whichever race, colour or creed could have imagined that our long harmonious and peaceful co-existence could be shattered in a matter of hours.

But the senseless killings did happen, innocent blood was shed. It did have an impact on the people and on the nation. The course of history did change.

The May 13 incident led to the changing of the guard. The then first Prime Minister wept before the nation, took responsibility (though no fault of his) and stepped down. Tun Abdul Razak took over as the second Prime Minister.

The aftermath of the racial riots witnessed the gradual rebuilding of trust among the races and we thank God that peace among the races has generally reigned since then. The country has developed much in the last 40 years but not without our share of political and economic turmoil, social problems and occasional racial tensions (thankfully non-violent) interspersed throughout the period.

Could our nation have done better if there had not been a May 13 incident? Many Malaysians including Christians think so. Many believe that the shedding of innocent blood in the May 13 incident has in some ways hindered the blessings of God on our land.

This year, we also witnessed another changing of guard. The recent resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to give way to Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to become the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia is no co-incidence. Datuk Seri Najib is the son of Tun Abdul Razak and is the second generation leader. It is also not a co-incidence that immediately after assuming the premiership, Datuk Seri Najib introduced his vision of 1Malaysia, a nation with one identity and with equal opportunities for all Malaysians. This may just be the dawn of a new era for our nation.

In biblical perspective, 40 years is one generation. This coming May 13 completes 40 years since the May 13 incident in 1969.

The number 40 holds great significance throughout the Bible. Below are some of the major events in the Bible:-

When God wanted to cleanse the world with the Great Flood and start over, He caused rain to fall for 40 days and 40 nights. (Gen 7:12)

Noah waited another 40 days after it rained before he opened a window in the Ark. (Gen 8:6)

Moses lived among the Egyptians until age 40 before he fled to Midian. He spent 40 years living as a shepherd in Midian before God called him to save the Israelites from slavery. (Acts 7:23, Acts 7:30)

Moses was on the mountain for 40 days with God (Twice). (Exo 24:18, Exo 34:28-29, Deu 10:10)

The 12 spies took 40 days to search out the Promised Land and bring back fruit. (Num 13:25)

The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the wilderness before they reached the Promised Land. (Deu 8:2) (Exo 16:35) (Num 14:33-34)

Goliath came for 40 days before being killed by David. (1 Sam 17:16)

Elijah, strengthened by one ‘angelic’ meal, travelled 40 days and 40 nights to reach Mount Horeb where he met the Lord. (1 Kings 19:8)

Through Jonah, God gave the City of Nineveh 40 days to repent before God will destroy the city. The people repented in those 40 days and God spared the city. (Jonah 3:4 and 10)

Several kings and leaders in the Bible ruled for 40 years like Saul (Acts 13:21), David (2 Sam 5:4), Soloman (1 Kings 11:42), Joash (2 Kings 12:1), Eli (1 Sam 4:18)

The Israelites were delivered into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years when they did evil in the eyes of the Lord (Judges 13:1)

The maximum number of stripes or lashes allowed for whipping punishment under the Mosaic law is 40. (Deu 25:1-3)

Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry. (Mat 3:17, Mat 4:1-2)

Jesus was seen on the earth for 40 days after His resurrection before He ascended to heaven. (Acts 1:3 NIV)

Whether it is days or years, the number 40 in the Bible always relates to a period of testing, trial, probation, chastisement or judgment and consistently ends with a period of restoration, renewal or revival.

Therefore with Datuk Seri Najib helming the nation as the new Prime Minister just before the 40th anniversary of the May 13 incident, we can believe and trust God that there will be coming a period of restoration and renewal for our land. For the Church of Jesus Christ in Malaysia, we can trust God for a fresh revival to sweep across this nation.

But merely believing and trusting God for good things to come is not enough. We need to go back to the Bible to see what He requires of us before He opens the window of heaven and pour forth His blessings.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says, “ If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we need to do these 3 things first:-

1. Humble ourselves before God.
2. Pray for God’s forgiveness for our sins and the sins of our nation, and the killings of our fellow Malaysians by our own people 40 years ago.
3. Turn from our wicked ways.

In line with the call by several local churches for a time of prayer on May 13, we, the concerned members (or TTG group, if you want to call us that), wish to encourage all Calvarites and all Christians in Malaysia to set aside May 13, as a special day of prayer and fasting to intercede for our nation of Malaysia. Let us join our hands and hearts in one accord to ask God :

1. For His forgiveness and to heal our land,
2. For His richest blessings on our nation,
3. For His wisdom and guidance on all our ministers and leaders,
4. For justice, fairness, transparency, accountability, integrity and morality to be upheld,
5. For freedom of worship to be preserved,
6. For peace and harmony to prevail in this nation,
7. For a great mighty wind of revival to sweep across this land.

We also encourage fellow brothers and sisters-in Christ overseas who are reading this, to remember us (and our nation of Malaysia) in your time of prayer and devotion. Certainly, we are all one Body in Christ and together, we will see a great miracle for God has something good in store for us in the coming days and in the history of this nation.

So let us set aside some time daily for the next 2 weeks to pray for our land and make a special effort to fast and pray on this coming May 13.

Prayer changes things.

God Bless.