Day 12: The Gratitude Challenge

The first four days of fasting has brought me to a place of personal devotion that I have never been in before.  I have always felt that my personal prayer times have always been fulfilling. but God brought me to a deeper place that I know I couldn't have gone to if I was distracted by food.

On the fifth day, after a rewarding four days of personal quiet time, I decided to join the corporate prayer meeting in the evening. The evening prayer meeting was about praying for the Philippines -- something that always gets me choked up and really emotional.

Photo Credit: http://www.destination360.com/

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to join fellow believers in collectively praying for our nation.  I would like to share with you the prayer points.  I hope that you are encouraged to pray for the Philippines as well.

1) 2010 Elections

• Pray for grace and wisdom in the automation process so the elections would be orderly and credible.
• Pray for the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines, that they may enforce peace and order during the elections.
• Pray for understanding and discernment among voters in choosing their candidates.
• Pray for righteous and God-fearing officials to be elected both in the national and local levels.
• Pray for favor and wisdom for Christian leaders who are running for office.
• Pray for a peaceful transition of power after the elections and unity among the candidates.

2) Maguindanao Massacre

• Pray for justice for all the victims of the massacre.
• Pray for courage and protection for the prosecutors, judge, and everyone else involved in the trial.

3) Body of Christ

• Pray for unity and healing among the leaders in the body of Christ, in spite of differences in their political views.

4) My Personal Prayer Points for the Philippines

• Pray that each Filipino citizen will take on a moral and civil responsibility on contributing to the change of this nation.
• Pray that poverty will never be an excuse to succumb to theft, criminal behavior, prostitution or human trafficking.
• Pray for all families who suffered severe consequences of typhoon Ondoy.  May this year be filled with hope and healing for them.
• Pray that more jobs will open for hardworking Filipinos both here and abroad.
• Pray for all individuals who are in a place of influence (entertainers, athletes, politicians) to passionately influence this generation to shift their worship to Jesus Christ.  May they not be in it only for the financial blessings but also for the responsibility and the privilege behind the blessings.

"For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations."


Isaiah 61:11


Many thanks to: Every Nation Productions for the first three prayer points.