CCM Malaysia Day of Prayer 2024 at Trinity Methodist Church: Standing in the Unity of Faith for the Nation

460195139_10158776718959159_6907801054527346957_n — Rev Philip Lok, the General Secretary of the Council of Churches Malaysia giving the welcome address.

Every year around this time, it has been the custom of representative leaders from the Malaysian churches, to come together as one to pray in faith for the peace and well-being of our nation. These celebrations are particularly memorable as Christians from a vast range of denominations gathered in one spirit all over Malaysia to do so.

This year, the Malaysia Day of Prayer 2024 celebration organised by the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) was held at 9:30 am on Malaysia Day, 16th September 2024, at the Trinity Methodist Church, Petaling Jaya. This celebration at the Trinity Methodist Church was a particularly memorable and meaningful one for the CCM segment as it was their first onsite event since the pandemic. This prayer service was also an ecumenical initiative that brought together Christians from various denominations in a spirit of unity and devotion to celebrate our heritage as Malaysian Christians. The service served as a powerful reminder of the nation’s history, its current challenges, and the collective prayers for its future.

The Malaysia Day of Prayer 2024 celebration organised by the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) was held at 9:30 am on Malaysia Day, 16th September 2024, at the Trinity Methodist Church, Petaling Jaya.

A reflective musical prelude led by Margaret Tan opened the service, and the Rev Philip Lok, the General Secretary of the Council of Churches Malaysia, gave a warm welcome address. A sense of reverence filled the sanctuary as the processional hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King” was sung by the entire congregation and the procession of the church leaders was led into the sanctuary by the Girls Brigade Malaysia.

The Procession.

The Proclamation of the Day, led by Rev Paul Christie, Senior Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church PJ, highlighted the historical moments of Malaysia’s formation, reminding the congregation of the significance of the Malaysia Day and the role of divine providence in the nation’s journey. The reading recalled the Declaration of Independence in 1957 and Malaysia Day in 1963, calling for continued dedication to justice, liberty and peace.

The Prayer of the Day, led by Christa Bell Isaiah, the President of YWCA, emphasised the importance of recognizing God’s daily goodness and serving Him with willing hearts.

As the Jalur Gemilang was raised and Negaraku, the National Anthem, resounded in the sanctuary, the congregation stood in the spirit of unity and a collective commitment to the nation. Rev. Dr Philip Lok led the Call to Worship, inviting the congregation to reflect on God’s steadfast love and blessings. The Prayer of the Day, led by Christa Bell Isaiah, the President of YWCA, emphasised the importance of recognizing God’s daily goodness and serving Him with willing hearts.

Standing for the National Anthem.

“I Love You Lord” by Juwita Suwito

Juwita Suwito from Malaysian Worship Collective led the congregation in vibrant and uplifting worship comprising songs of praise and worship. There were important solemn moments such as the Confession of Sins (led by Bishop Thomas Low of the Lutheran Church in Malaysia) and Reading for Malaysia as Our Home (led by Bishop Steven Abbarow from the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia) where the congregation took a moment of silent reflection, acknowledging the centrality of God in the lives of Christians as well as personal and collective shortcomings, and seeking God’s forgiveness and guidance to heal the nation, but the predominant atmosphere was one of joyful thanksgiving and solidarity.

The Confession of Sins was led by Bishop Thomas Low of the Lutheran Church in Malaysia.

The Reading for Malaysia as Our Home was led by Bishop Steven Abbarow from the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia.

The main part of the service was a series of prayers offered for Malaysia and its people. These prayers were comprehensive and covered many essential areas, including government and leadership, peace and unity, families, children and the youths. These prayers were led respectively by Pastor Pamela Jau, a Sarawakian, from the Lutheran Church in Malaysia, Bishop Steven Lawrence from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia, and Rev Shaan Sya from the Trinity Methodist Church. Each prayer was a heartfelt appeal to God for wisdom, protection, and unity in all aspects of the Malaysian life.

The celebration brought together Christians from West and East Malaysia. On the right is Pr Pamela Jau from Sarawak who led the prayer for the government and leadership of Malaysia.

Prayer for families were led by Bishop Steven Lawrence from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia.

Youths and children were not left out. Rev Shaan Sya led the prayer for the next generation.

After a Song of Praise by the Canticus Musicus, “This is My Father’s World”, the leaders and congregation also prayed for stewardship of God’s creation (led by Rev Mathew Punnoose from the Marthoma Church in Malaysia), asking for the strength to care for the environment and seek forgiveness for the damage done through greed and indifference.

“This is My Father’s World” by Cantus Musicus.

The Church in Malaysia was also a focus of prayer, with leaders led by the Very Rev Cor Episcopa Philip Thomas, Chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and President of CCM, from the Orthodox Syrian Church in Malaysia, asking for unity, purity and strength in its mission to be a beacon of hope and truth. CFM represents some 95% of the Christians in Malaysia whose members are from the Catholic, CCM and NECF churches.

Prayer and reflection for the stewardship of God’s creation led by Rev Mathew Punnoose from the Marthoma Church in Malaysia.

The Church in Malaysia was also a focus of prayer, with leaders led by the Very Rev Cor Episcopa Philip Thomas, President of both the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and CCM, from the Orthodox Syrian Church in Malaysia.

The global context was remembered through prayers for countries in conflict, led by Rev Chua Hua Peng, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Malaysia or Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia.

The global context was remembered through prayers for countries in conflict, including Myanmar, Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine, asking for peace and justice in these regions (led by Rev Chua Hua Peng, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Malaysia or Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia). The Cantus Musicus led a reflective song of prayer, “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”.

“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” by Cantus Musicus.

The service then transitioned to a time of offering, with proceeds dedicated to the CCM Indigenous Ministry Fund, supporting indigenous communities across Malaysia. Thomas T. Mathew, Treasurer of CCM, led the offertory prayer, dedicating the offerings and lives of the congregation to God’s service.

Offertory prayer led by Thomas T. Mathew, Treasurer of CCM.

The service concluded with The Lord’s Prayer and a reading of a final blessing from 1 Thessalonians 5:13-22 (both led by Bishop Dr T Jeyakumar of the Methodist Church in Malaysia). The recessional hymn, “Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer,” accompanied the exit of the church leaders from the sanctuary, marking the end of the service.

The celebration brought together church leaders from a wide range of denominations in one spirit of unity.

A whole range of generations came together in one spirit to pray for the peace and well-being of Malaysia and various groups.

Teresa Kok was a guest of honour. Bishop Thomas Low (left) and Teresa Kok (right).

Overall, the Malaysia Day of Prayer 2024 was a meaningful and spiritually enriching event, fostering unity among Christians and offering prayers for the well-being of the nation and the world as a whole. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of putting faith, hope and love into action to create a better future for all.

Note: Christianity Malaysia would like to thank Mr Steven Fung and the organisers of the CCM Malaysia Day Prayer Gathering 2024 for their hospitality and kind help throughout the production of this article. All photos and videos were kindly contributed by Mr Steven Fung and the organisers. More photos (and a wider range) can be found at the CCM Youth Network Facebook Page.

You may follow the full Malaysia Day of Prayer 2024 celebration that was held at the Trinity Methodist Church PJ on their YouTube page and the following video: