Pray for the nation
Not everyone is called to take up the role of an activist or a politician. The mantle of the prophet is given to few. But one thing we can all do is to intercede and pray for the nation in this uncertain and troubled time. Many of us, irregardless of our faith traditions or lack thereof, are used to praying or at least hoping for peace. I remember that as a kid, before making the choice to embrace the Christian faith, I used to be taught to pray for 平安 (peace and tranquility).
As a Christian today, my posit is that peace requires justice. In the chaotic geo-politics of today, a lot of people are clamouring for a just peace. It is not enough to merely impose peace but also to bring it about justly. Martin Shaw of the University of Sussex suggests:
Peace entails justice, indeed, not merely in this sense of criminal responsibility, but in the larger sense of a just political and economic settlement for the people
I don't disagree. Peace is more than simply the absence of conflict; it is a way of life in which each person has the essentials such as food, water, and shelter, in which sins such as sexism and racism are negated, in which love is the crucial factor in human relations.
In order to faithfully live in community, the Church must prayerfully support the elimination of poverty, war, racism, sexism, hate, and the like. True peace is intimately entwined to real justice and our own scriptures testify to it very strongly :
Isaiah 32:16-18:
The LORD's justice will dwell in the desert,
his righteousness live in the fertile field.
The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;
its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,
in secure homes,
in undisturbed places of rest.
Micah 6:8:
He has shown all you people what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Ecclesiastes 9:18:
Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good.
Psalm 34:14:
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Matthew 5:9:
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.As I mentioned above, not everyone is called to direct action but all can be peacemakers within their own circle of influence. And in situations where a just solution seems humanly impossible, we have the privilege of standing in the gap and interceding for God's intervention in human history.
As a Christian, I don't believe we can bring about perfection through our own efforts. Worthy of criticism? Perhaps. But I also do not believe that this is an excuse for us to stop trying.
I trust that when we eagerly await Christ's return (or the Rapture depending on which side of the theological divide you're at) and call out Maranatha, its not because we desire to abandon this existence and seek a divine life boat but because we desire to see God's Kingdom of justice and peace established.
I would, therefore, like to appeal to all to come together and pray for our people, our nation and our world. I won't provide specific points to pray about but do remember those who are in the positions of power who can change things, those who are actively confronting systems to seek a just peace, and those who are in danger of persecution and harm for seeking to bring about such changes.
 I am a Christian and I am praying for Peace & Justice in Malaysia |
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