Since the inception of Prayer United (PU) Malaysia in July 2012, prayer networks have been set up, intercessors were raised to be on their knees, and beacons of prayer were lighted up here and there across the nation. And these prayer leaders, intercessors and coordinators from different denominations, different member networks and different parts of Malaysia meet once every year.

After the seismic change in government, some of us may have slackened in vigilance and in prayer. The 7th Prayer Leaders’ Annual Retreat held at BEM Pelita Church, Miri from 15-17 January was thus timely for the intercessors and coordinators to gather to be reminded to pray even more “to seek the peace and prosperity”(Jeremiah 29:7) of our beloved nation. Meanwhile, we also need to stay vigilant in praying for the churches in Malaysia that we, as a church, remain holy and obedient in prayer for the rulers, government and people of this nation.

Rev Hwa Yung, chairman of PU Malaysia and Bishop Emeritus of Methodist Church in Malaysia, took the lead to reiterate the vision of PU which is “Revival in the Church and transformation of the nation”. In order to sustain the prayer movement, PU strives for goals for PU itself, as well as the Church and the nation.

For PU, the goals include:
1) Preserve the UNITY of PU
2) Enlarge & enhance the spiritual unity of the wider prayer movement
3) Sustain & build the Prayer Momentum that has grown over the
past few years
4) Strengthen the ministry of PPC (Putrajaya Prayer Centre) for church and nation

For the church, we are to
1) Prepare the way for REVIVAL: the church should live a life of
a) Holiness & repentance
b) Love & forgiveness
c) Unity & oneness
d) Prayer & humility
e) Openness to the Holy Spirit’s
leading and empowering
2) Strengthen discipleship in the
family and the church
3) Reach and nurture the next generation
4) Live as salt and light
5) Be a sending church

For our nation, we continue to ask God fervently to
1) Raise up more national leaders of integrity
2) Persevere in seeking righteousness, justice and religious freedom
3) Uphold unity, stability and integrity of the government and an effective opposition
4) Sustain the special role that East Malaysia plays, especially Sarawak
5) Strengthen further “Light up Malaysia”
6) Bless Malaysia and break all demonic strongholds

These goals are also the major items of concern to be prayed for as we usher in the “Malaysia Year of Prayer 2019”.

To take the prayer momentum to a deeper level and a wider sense, more prayer networks need to be set up in and among the local churches.

To date there are about 21 member networks under PU Malaysia. 18 coordinators from 18 prayer networks attended this Prayer Leaders’ Annual Retreat and they brought updates of their respective networks. They were: Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia, Anglican Diocese of Kuching, Assemblies of God, Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia, Lutheran Church of Malaysia, Kuching Ministers’ Fellowship, Methodist Church in Malaysia, Malaysia National Prayer Nurturing (MNPN), PU Penang, PU Sarawak North Zone, PU Sarawak Central Zone, PU Sarawak South Zone, BEM Sarawak, PU Youth, Sabah Pastors’ Fellowship, SIB Semenanjung, and 24-7 Prayer Malaysia.

“Light up Malaysia” initiated in the previous annual retreat held in Penang last year was taken to a higher horizon during this year’s retreat. “Light up Malaysia 2.0” aims to cover every constituency across the nation in prayer, and to raise an Anchor Church in each of the 222 federal constituencies. When we seek peace, justice and betterment of the land, we also ask God to raise more “David” and “Samuel” as to counter “Eli’s worthless sons” – the corrupt leaders in the church.

This is a 5-year initiative and an inter-denominational joint effort. Churches need to learn to work together so that our prayers will go deeper into the neighbourhood, and that the true light of our Lord will be lighted up in every corner of Malaysia.

In response to the special role that Sarawak plays, all Sarawakian Christians are invited to “Light up Sarawak” ahead of GE15. Since Sarawak has the largest Christian population, is Sarawak different from the non-Christian states? This is the question Sarawakian Christians should ask and ponder upon constantly.

In the session of networks meetings, 315 participants and delegates gathered in their respective network groups to discuss how to light up their respective states according to the guidelines provided. Each member network was to choose a state coordinator, parliamentary coordinators, DUN (Dewan Undangan Negeri) coordinators, and to find out what churches are within the related DUN. Churches within the particular DUN will then be mobilised to work together to light up the neighbourhood as well as the constituency in prayers.

By Saffron Lee