What's happening to Malaysia?
We don't have any natural disasters like other countries: so far, no major earthquakes, no volcanoes, no tornadoes, no hot summer bush fires, no war or terrorist attacks. But people keep dying like flies every day from causes that are wholly avoidable: murders by jealous enraged husbands or boyfriends, shootings or beatings by police, being chased by the religious police and falling 5 floors down, being pushed by snatch thieves on the road, deaths in detentions, infanticides, daily and nightly traffic accidents involving buses, cars and motorcycles in which whole families perish. These things are happening so often every day that I fear we are becoming immune to it all.
Yes, we are a blessed country, shielded and spared from many natural disasters we read about in other countries. But we are being a disaster unto ourselves! We can't cope in this blessed condition: how are we going to survive a real major natural disaster?
O Lord, have mercy upon this country! Forgive us all the bloodshed, violence and abuse we have committed on this land, against our fellowmen made in your image. Forgive us our hatred, prejudice, racism, immorality, hypocrisy and lying. O God, despite our countless sins against You and against our fellowmen, despite our corruption and lack of love, forgive us according to Your great mercies and compassion, and bless our land, bless the leaders, bless the people of all ethnicity, all Your fallen creation.
Most do not know what they are doing: they are lost and in darkness. Father, forgive them and bring light into their lives. Others have the light but have failed to let it shine through them. Father, forgive us and cleanse us and make us truly Your salt and light in this land.
Surely, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22,23
Surely, it is You, O Lord, who are interceding for us, and upholding Your children by the Word of Your Power. Father, hear, forgive and act, in Jesus' name!