prayer united - 2014 circular no. 1 - 20140301 - report of 2nd church leaders and intercessors...

8/12/2019 PRAYER UNITED - 2014 Circular No. 1 - 20140301 - Report of 2nd Church Leaders and Intercessors Annual Retreat

1/3

1 | P r a y e r U n i t e d

1.

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 DISCERNEDa. The most important thing is that, whereas many Christians are worried about thestate 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 repentanceand 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.

PRAYERUNITED

ANNOUNCEMENT TOTHE CHURCHES1 MARCH 2014

A REPORT OF THE 2NDCHURCH LEADERS

AND INTERCESSORS ANNUAL RETREATheld at Beringgis Resort, Papar, Sabah from 13 to 15 February, 2014

A CALL TO REPENTANCE


2/3

2 PRAYER UNITED | 1 March 20

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 othersas 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, weakand marginalized, including many amongst the indigenous peoples of the land

and the migrant workers;

Our preoccupation with self-preservation and self-advancement, and therebyneglecting the larger concerns of justice and righteousness in social and national

life.

c. We must actively pursue tangible and demonstrable unity in church throughbreaking 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-Kitaband 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 theirrespective networks and churches, that there must a visible demonstration of our


3/3

3 PRAYER UNITED | 1 March 20

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 Fridayand 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); oriii. 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 discernGods 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 herChrist-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 - 2014 circular no. 1 - 20140301 - report of 2nd church leaders and intercessors...

Documents