The prayer climate in
the Klang Valley is improving
By Ng Wah Lok
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I have been attending the Merdeka Prayer Rallies organized
by NECF for many years. The prayer rallies have been held yearly across the country on
the eve of Merdeka, August 30th. To me, it is one of the most significant meetings in the
nation. It is a gathering of Christians from all churches to pray for the nation.
I cannot say that I have been happy every year with these rallies. In fact, for most of
the years, I have left the meetings rather disappointed because of the poor attendance.
For a prayer rally in the Klang Valley, the attendance had previously been just around
a thousand people. Yet to me, it is the single most important meeting in the Klang Valley.
The Merdeka Prayer Rally is the prayer indicator of our nation.
Prayer has always been a neglected activity in
most churches. From published research, less than 20% of church members attend prayer
meetings. In many churches, the prayer meetings have been cancelled to make room for
more “important” meetings. It is easy to fill a large hall with a music concert
by a big star. However when it comes to prayer, it is a totally different story.
They are usually poorly attended.
This year, the prayer climate has been slightly
different. The Pastor’s Prayer Shield was launched several months ago. This was
a concerted effort to pray for Pastors. The NECF also launched a 40-day prayer and fast prior
to the Merdeka Prayer Rally. This launch caught the attention of many pastors who adopted
the 40-day fast for their own churches. So there was build up of the intensity of prayer.
When I reached the PGRM hall on August 30th, 2001, I was pleasantly surprised by the number
of people attending. It was close to 2000 people. The meeting started at 8.00 pm and
ended at 12.30 am. The people had come for a full 4½-hour prayer meeting. I praise God
for those who came. The large turn out, almost doubled of the numbers in year 2000, shows
an improvement of our prayer climate. I cannot comment on the prayer rallies in other
places, but for the Klang Valley, it has improved significantly.
Dick Eastman shared a powerful message on
“Prayer and the Great Global Awakening”. But what really spoke to me that night
was the dance presentation. Previously for most of NECF meetings, the dance presentations
had been focussed on celebration which was appropriated for those events. For this prayer
rally, the dance was not a celebration but a prophetic dance on “The weight of
God’s glory coming down on our nation”. When I saw it, the Holy Spirit spoke
to me and said, “This is possible if my people would bow their knees and pray for
their nation”.
I left the prayer rally at 12.30 pm rather
pleased by the improvement of the prayer climate in the Klang Valley. I would like to
encouraged those involved in launching the Pastor’s Prayer Shield and the 40-day prayer
and fast to carry on the great work God has called them to do, which is to bring Malaysian
Christians to pray for their country.
Ng Wah Lok
A silent observer who loves Malaysia
“Every time I pray, I move the hand of God”
Note: Pastor Ng Wah Lok is the author of
the song “Every Time I Pray”. He has also written many
articles on prayer and worship which are available at his
website www.tabernaclemusic.net under
Resources.
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I will sing of mercy and justice;
