bobjots : redux

Not everyone is called to take up the role of an activist or a politician. The mantle of the prophet is given to few. But one thing we can all do is to intercede and pray for the nation in this uncertain and troubled time. Many of us, irregardless of our faith traditions or lack thereof, are used to praying or at least hoping for peace.

In the Christian tradition, we are familiar with the word Shalom (שָׁלוֹם). Shalom is a Hebrew word that means peace, wholeness, and well-being. We can see the similarity with the Malay word Salam which is a derivative from the Arabic term Salaam (سلام). In fact, when we greet each other with the sign of the peace; ie. the peace of the Lord be with you; we are echoing an ancient greeting; Shalom Aleikhem (שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם); better known to us Malaysians by its Arabic cognate; Assalammualaikum (السلام عليكم).

The Shalom that we so commonly use in greeting each other, extends beyond just the absense of conflict but a peace that comes about with the restoration of wholeness, well-being and justice. Isaiah 61 gives us a beautiful vision of God’s peace, the very same words echoed by Jesus as he started his public ministry.

As I mentioned above, not everyone is called to direct action but all can be peacemakers within their own circle of influence. And in situations where a just solution seems humanly impossible, we have the privilege of standing in the gap and asking for God’s intervention in human history.

I would, therefore, like to invite you to leave your own little prayer here in this virtual prayer wall as we remember our family, our friends, our community, our fellow citizens, our leaders, our nation, and our world, and lift up their needs to God.

Remember particularly the following in your prayer:

• Those who are in the positions of power who can bring about a just peace
• Those who are actively confronting systems to seek a just peace
• Those who are in danger of or already in persecution and harm for seeking to bring about a just peace

I will slowly include some resources on prayer in the right navigation bar as I come across them. I hope this will be a helpful set of resources for everyone who visits this page.

You can choose to include the little graphic below to indicate that you are part of this chain (a meme if you prefer) that’s praying for the nation.

I am a Christian and I am praying for Peace & Justice in Malaysia