In my post Discipling Our Nation I wrote about the beautiful experience I had at the 29th National Assembly of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC). It was a four-day retreat attended by 250 delegates representing the many Christian denominations, local churches and para-church organizations from all over our country.
On July 14, our beloved president, His Excellency Benigno Aquino III, graced the event with his presence. He stayed for more than one hour, watched a video presentation of what PCEC is all about, and listened to Bishop Efraim Tendero who spoke about the commitment of the council to support the president's programs aimed at nation building and lifting our republic from the mire of poverty, corruption, and injustice.
President Aquino received a Bible, and a plaque signifying our full support of him, allowed the PCEC leaders to crowd around him and pray for him, and willingly sat with the PCEC Board of Directors for several pictures to be taken.
The president also gave a long talk, where he sounded kind and appreciative of our support of him.
It was indeed a rare opportunity for us to see the head of our nation up close and personal.
We could take pictures as long as our cameras had been checked by the security before we entered the hall.
When he left, those who were near the president were able to shake his hand. His smile was warm and genuine.
Below are the words of welcome spoken by PCEC Chairman Dr. Andrew Liuson, as well as the beautiful prayer that he prayed for our president, in behalf of the PCEC board.
I consider it a privilege to have been present at this momentous event.
Words of Welcome addressed to President Aquino:
On behalf of the bishops, elders, and pastors of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, let me extend our warmest welcome to President Benigno S. Aquino III and to express our great joy that you take time from your very busy schedule to visit with us at our spiritual retreat.
We, the PCEC, have no self benefiting thing to ask of you... but we have been, and will continue to be praying for you and yours.
In 1 Samuel 2:7 and Psalm 75:7 it says:
The LORD makes one poor and another rich;
He brings some down and lifts another up.
It is God alone who judges;
He decides who will rise and who will fall.
The LORD's favor is clearly on your family, though it came at a high price.
The sudden death of your father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., shocking and tragic as it was, resulted in the outpouring of popular support that turned a "housewife with no political ambition" into a world icon we Filipinos lovingly cherish as "President Cory."
The death of your mother, the late President Cory, sad as it was, resulted in turning you into our now popular "President P-Noy."
It is our prayer that you will also leave a legacy as good as, if not better than, your distinguished parents so that when the Lord decides to take you home (hopefully at least 30 or more years from now), the outpouring of sympathy, admiration, respect, and nostalgia for you and your presidency will result in someone, closely identified with your being swept into the country's leadership - perhaps a son or daughter yet to be born to you.
The Philippines needs a godly leader. And this word of Mordecai may apply to you. To Queen Esther he said:
"Who can say, but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?"
Mr. President, you are our hope and pride.
May it be said of you as it was said of King David, "For David... served the purpose of God in his own generation...."
May you serve the purpose of God in our generation.
Welcome, and God bless you, Mr. President.
Prayer given by Dr. Andrew Liuson for President Aquino as the PCEC Board gathered around him:
For our president, Benigno S. Aquino III, Lord we pray that You bless him with
the strength of Samson,
the wisdom of Solomon,
the patience of Job,
the faith of Abraham,
the insight of Daniel,
the courage of Joshua,
the leadership of Moses,
the integrity of Samuel,
the success of David.
May he be like King David. For You said "David the son of Jesse is a man after My own heart, for he will do everything I want him to." (Acts 13:22b)
President Aquino,
may the face of the LORD shine upon you,
may His hand protect you,
may His presence inspire you,
may His grace surround you,
may His power sustain you,
may His hedge be around you to keep you safe.
May you be delivered from evil,
may His will be done in your life as it is in heaven.
May you enjoy life's small pleasures:
a pat on the back
a good word
a hug
a full moon
a glorious sunset
a great meal
a good joke
hot soup
a cold drink
ice cream
and a cold, unlit cigarette.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warmly upon your face
May the rain fall soft upon your fields
May God hold you in the palm of His hand...
May the Lord give you your heart's desire.
May He fulfill all of your plans.
May you rejoice in the Lord.
May He grant all your prayers.
May one day you see God's smile as He says to you, "Well done, P-Noy, you good, and fruitful, and faithful servant!"
Tears filled my eyes as love for my country flooded my heart anew while President Aquino stood before us that day.
Here is the man at the helm of our nation. A huge responsibility has been placed upon his shoulders. He needs our prayers and our support. Indeed, Dr. Andrew Liuson was right to say, "President Aquino, you are our hope and our pride."
Clearly, our hope is from God alone, but He has raised up a man, our president to lead our nation through turbulent waters.
I pray dear God that You stir up every Filipino to pray for this man, and for our nation.
Use our words to build up, and not tear down!
Melt every indifference and apathy and unite us as a people to rally behind our flag and the leaders You have raised to rule over us.
Forgive our sin, and heal our land, O Lord!
I fully believe in the coming revival and restoration and reign of righteousness over our islands!
May we join our hearts and hands in lifting our nation up to God!
Please pray for the Philippines!
The Philippines is for Christ
The heavens declare your glory
The nations bow before you
And in this place let your praise arise
The Philippines is for Christ
Reign, reign Lord Jesus
In our hearts and in our lives
Reign, reign O Lord of the heavens
The Philippines is for Christ
Forever your name be exalted
Oh Lord of all creation
And in this place we lift your song on high
The Philippines is for Christ
The Philippines is for Christ...
15 comments:
Your president sounds like a very good person. In our country, it seems not many politicians really care about anything more than their own welfare. You are fortunate.
What a wonderful prayer. It sounds like one of the blessings given in the Bible. It's such a blessing to have a president who wants to be part of something like this!
Hi Lidj -
This is a solid message. It is so good that our Lord had your president to attend.
I love this that you expressed,
"Who can say, but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?"
And "May it be said of you as it was said of King David, "For David... served the purpose of God in his own generation...."
Hearty Amens to that, Lidj.
The prayer covered an abundance of vital matters. Well done indeed!
Thank you, precious lady of GOD, for sharing this potent piece/peace!
THANK YOU, GLORIOUS LORD, FOR YOUR LOVE, WAYS, AND MANIFESTATIONS.
Wow...how awesome and how encouraging to read. What a true blessing to be a part of such an event. As we are all commanded to pray for our leaders may I also remember leaders in other nations.
As God's will is for us, believers to always be prayerful,what a beautiful reminder that God is truly the Best Giver of everything and that for anyone who holds any position, how wonderful to use the talent He gives to serve others with the desire to honor no one but God. The prayers for Pres. Aquino were cries of all our "kababayan's" and how we long for corruption to end. Then, again, I don't have to go that far. Even here in our government, we truly need to pray for godly leaders to shine.
God bless you sister Lidj and may you have a great week ahead, shining ever brightly for the Lord!
That song/video brought sadness to my heart. You remind me to always pray for our beautiful country. When I went home in 2007, it was the spiritual condition of people's hearts that brought sadness to me and I prayed for the Lord to increase people's faith and that many more will turn and humble their hearts to our good Lord.
Tell you what sister, I'll always be here in Spirit praying and agreeing with you. We used to be the No.1 among ASEAN nations and we both know, not only is our country warm and beautiful, but most of all, what makes it beautiful is the hospitality and our structure as being family-oriented and faith in God that makes it even more beautiful. May true believers never tire of bringing the Good News to those who need to hear it. God bless you sister Lidj and thank you for sharing this. Take care and I will remember you in prayers as you minister to others.
How amazing is this? What a wonderful opportunity to be present at such a gathering as this. I love that your President was openly prayed over and spoken to so openly about the Lord's hand on him.
I vividly remember the day of his father's death and then how his mother became President. I was in an airport when the news came on about this.
How encouraged I am to read about your country. God is in control. How I wish the US would be so open to give God the glory.
Much love to you,
Debbie
Thank you for sharing the encouraging news about your homeland. I share your heart for godly leaders in your country (and OURS)!.
How the world needs Jesus!
Sounds like such a momentous occasion, something to remember.
ay god bless your President and countryu.
IU like that song, I have it on tape.
Dear Lidj,
What an honour and privileged to be present at this rare occasion.
Your president is also lucky to have people like you to pray for him.
I join in your prayer for your leader, the President and your wonderful, but still developing Philippines.
It's amazing what burning hearts and faithful Christians can do with the Almighty on your side.
I have great faith and hopes for your country and for Christianity there.
Lidj, the Philippine Island Peeps have been in my heart for more than 70 years. All I knew then was that some bad Peeps were torturing and killing your citizens for selfish concerns.
To be now remembering those years, and know that in these times Peeps like you are working to spread the good news of peace and love is
a gift which God is allowing me to enjoy. Thank you!
It is so wonderful the way you embraced your president with prayer. And what a powerful scripture prayer you and the team spoke over him. He cannot fail!
Hugs,
Mary
Hi Lidj,
I sure will keep your country and president in my prayers.
How wonderful to have a president that will honour God!
Blessings,
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What an incredible honor to be part of this momentous occasion, friend. What joy and celebration shine through your words as you write them. I wish our President was so inclined to listen to the Christian population in America. I need to do a better job of praying for him and for our nation. Thank you for this example.
peace~elaine
Wow! I love the prayer in such a way on such a day, over a man in such a position.
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