Young Adults' Group

Praying For Our Country

by Pastor Mark
August 08, 2014

A Happy National Day

This Saturday, we celebrate 49 years of independence as a nation. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Blessed and Happy National Day. It is good that every year, on the 9^th of August, we take time to remember how blessed we are as a country.

God’s involvement in our country

While we have a secular government and society, we must not forget the hand of God that is very much involved in how things have turned out for Singapore. The authorities that rule over us are appointed by God, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” (Rom 13:1) We thank God that the leaders that God has appointed for us have over the years been wise and visionary leaders who have led Singapore from being a 3^rd world country to being a 1^st world country. There is indeed no denying of God’s hand of involvement in our country and in blessing us all these 49 years.

Praying for the peace and progress of our nation

As we celebrate our National Day, we want to stress the importance of praying for our country. The Apostle Paul made this emphasis as he wrote to Timothy, ‘‘ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Tim 2:1-2) Priority was given by Paul in instructing Timothy concerning praying for our government. Whether it is to give urgent supplications, general prayers, caring intercessions and joyful thanksgiving, we are to pray. We are to pray for our leaders that their governance of the country will ensure the peace and prosperity of our nation. We thank God that Singapore has been at peace for 49 years. With all the wars that are being fought in the world, we really do not want to take peace for granted…knowing that it comes from God. It is in peace that we are able to see our country grow from strength to strength. Let’s give thanks and to continue to pray for the peace of our nation.

The purpose of peace

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:3,4)

What is the purpose in praying for peace? It is for the purpose of reaching out to those who are still lost. It is in peace that we would have every opportunity to reach out to our loved ones and friends…without the problems of war disrupting our work of reaching out. The Lord Jesus desires all men to be saved. He gives peace that we may do our part in helping others come to the knowledge of the truth of the Lord Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men. The apostle Paul saw it as his divine appointment to be a preacher and messenger of the truth of the Christ. Let’s seek to continue to do our part in praying for our nation…for good leaders to continue to lead our country in peace and prosperity. With that peace, let’s be challenged to pray and to reach out to the many who still need to be saved and to come to the truth of Christ.

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