By Agnes Chai
KOTA KINABALU — Parishioners of the Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHC) parish have joined the inter-churches of the State in a “prayer drive” initiative as a way of intercession for the upcoming Sabah State election.
Parishioners of the Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHC) parish have joined the inter-churches of the State in a “prayer drive” initiative as a way of intercession for the upcoming Sabah State election.
Dubbed the Shalom Sabah Prayer Drive, the initiative is a joint collaborative effort of the Sabah Council of Churches, the Commission on Sabah Affairs (COSA) of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship and the KK Pastors Fellowship.
The unique prayer drive will take place on Aug 31, from 3.00 -5.00 pm at any spot or place in or around the city. Participants may choose some particular spots or places that they feel they are led to, or they may pray as they drive. The prayer focus is based on Prayer Points which have been proposed for the occasion.
For the Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, this is in addition to a prayer vigil rallied by the Archdiocesan head, Archbishop John Wong in recent days, in which the faithful could participate by doing their part to pray for a fair and just State election.
The Archbishop impressed on the faithful the need and the urgency to pray “We need to pray for ourselves, for our fellow countrymen, for our politicians” as we recognize that “our flesh is weak”.
He expressed dismay that the extreme and polarised ways politicians used to grab power have confused and scandalized many people of good will, especially during this precarious time when the whole world has been devastated and re-set by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acknowledging the recent political upheaval and turmoil in the State, and the temptation of many to “lose hope for a decent Malaysian future”, he rallied the people to listen to what the Lord said to His beloved disciples on the night that he was betrayed, when his soul was most troubled, and he prepared himself to enter into his passion for our salvation – “You should be awake, and praying not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mat 26: 41).
Meanwhile, the KK prelate has given his blessing to the faithful to be a part of the inter-church communal spiritual activity for the common good of the State, stating that all parishes are free to exercise their own discretion in organizing and mobilizing their parish for the prayer drive initiative.
The Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community, the first to respond as a group in Cathedral parish, has activated its members with a roster to be on standby to pray on Aug 31.
