PRAYERUNITED

ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE CHURCHES

1.

1 MARCH 2014

A REPORT OF THE 2ND CHURCH LEADERS AND INTERCESSORS ANNUAL RETREAT

held at Beringgis Resort, Papar, Sabah from 13 to 15 February, 2014

A CALL TO REPENTANCE
INTRODUCTION More than 70 church leaders and intercessors came together in the second annual prayer retreat to seek the Lord and to discern what God is saying to the church in our nation. As we worshipped and waited, together we sensed God speaking to us on a number of key issues. WHAT WE DISCERNED a. The most important thing is that, whereas many Christians are worried about the state of our nation, God is more concerned about the condition of His Church. b. It is His desire to see His people returning to Him in repentance and trust, united in mutual forgiveness and love, and prayerful dependence on Him in all things. c. The church has been facing various problems and growing pressure in recent times, but we should not fear because suffering purifies and refines His Church. Instead we should work at preparing and strengthening Gods people ahead of the storm which may come upon us. Despite the difficulties, we must respond to the national challenges in love, humility and confidence in God. d. This is a most important season as we are transiting from the first fifty years into the next fifty for our nation. We are reminded that we will reap what we sow. God wants to see us sow in righteousness through repentance and a returning to Him. There must be a return to true holiness in our private and corporate lives.

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HOW THEN SHALL WE RESPOND a. Gods word to Israel in Solomons time continues to guide us in our response: When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, ESV b. We must urge Gods people to return to Him in deepening repentance in our personal, family and church life. We must repent from sin and seek Gods forgiveness for: The loss of our first love for Him; Our self-seeking, idolatry of money and ambition, carelessness in sexual matters, failures in family life, and other forms of unholy living; The disunity and disharmony in church life that flow from our failure to love others as Christ has loved us, from self-righteousness, unforgiveness and unresolved anger, and from the abuse of power and our unwillingness to submit to one another; The failure to demonstrate genuine concern and compassion for the poor, weak and marginalized, including many amongst the indigenous peoples of the land and the migrant workers; Our preoccupation with self-preservation and self-advancement, and thereby neglecting the larger concerns of justice and righteousness in social and national life.

c. We must actively pursue tangible and demonstrable unity in church through breaking down denominational, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic barriers. Only when there is true unity in church can we contribute towards national reconciliation. d. Over the Al-Kitab and Allah issues, Christians should not react in anger or fear, but to respond in love, confident that God is sovereign and will watch over His people. e. We must wait upon the Lord in the assurance that, if we are faithful in Him, we will overcome (Rev 2-3). IMMEDIATE ACTION PLAN In light of the above, the following action plan is proposed: a. Each participant of this retreat is to return and bring this message back to their respective networks and churches, that there must a visible demonstration of our

PRAYER UNITED | 1 March 2014

acknowledgement as the whole national church of the need for genuine repentance. b. We therefore propose the calling of solemn/sacred assembly (Joel 1:14). As an initial step, we suggest that a solemn assembly be held on April 12, 2014 (the Saturday before Palm Sunday) or April 19, 2014 (the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter); for a day of fasting and prayer, wherein the church gathers together everywhere for national repentance. c. We propose also that this act of solemn/sacred assembly may be carried out in conjunction with our spiritual exercises during the Lent period, and these could also include fasting and prayer, and other forms of self-denial during the following possible times: i. Over the whole Lent (40 Days) period, beginning March 5, 2014 (Ash Wednesday) and ending April 17 (Maundy Thursday); or, ii. Over Holy Week (7 Days from Palm Sunday); or iii. Over Good Friday and Saturday (April 18 and 19, 2014). d. As an act of demonstrable unity, we encourage churches to come together in combined gatherings in their respective cities or towns, and across denominations. e. In holding a solemn assembly we exalt God on the throne together through worship, express our love for Him in response to His love for us in Christ (1 John 4:19), and return to Him in repentance and deepening trust. Through this the church grows in unity as the Body of Christ and the spirit of fear is displaced. The church is thereby better prepared for the Spirits coming in revival and also for the persecutions that may result. Moreover, the church and her leadership will be enabled to discern Gods purposes in our time and also strengthened to deal with the plots of the evil one. TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE NATIONS a. The Church must act in practical and visible ways of love and justice to touch all communities of this nation, accompanied by open acts of forgiveness and love for the nation and its peoples. (Ref: Isaiah 58 on true fasting) b. A response such as this will open the eyes and hearts of the nations leaders and its peoples. Then only can the Church be an example to the nations through her Christ-like response of sacrifice and returning good for evil. Only then will the power of the gospel message be heard throughout the nation. Joint Secretaries, Rev. Andy Chi (NECF) Chrisanne Chin (CCM)

PRAYER UNITED | 1 March 2014