elections

Pray for Our Upcoming National Elections

April 29, 2022

by Bishop Manny Carlos

Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding . . .”
Daniel 2:20-21

We join together once again as a church to pray for our upcoming local and national elections this coming May 9, 2022. As we intercede for our nation, I would like to encourage you with Daniel’s prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for supernaturally making known to him the content and interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s perplexing dream.

Daniel 2 narrates the king’s vision, which no one among the magicians and enchanters could interpret. But after Daniel’s prayer, the Lord revealed to him about four successive kingdoms which would rise and fall in the days ahead. While the fourth kingdom was still in power, a kingdom would arise from a stone striking the image and grow into a kingdom that would stand forever. This would eventually come to an end and shatter all the other kingdoms before and after. We know from history that these kingdoms were the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, and the Rock was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ and His kingdom rule continues to expand to this day and forever.

What do we learn from this story that will help us in our prayers? The first is that it is the Lord’s prerogative to raise up and remove kings—human rulers whom God uses to govern the nations, both good and bad—to accomplish His purpose on earth. Second, the change in the leaders of a nation is an indication of God ushering in a new time and season for a land and its people.

It is interesting to note that in 2022 alone, according to the National Democratic Institute, over twenty different countries besides the Philippines have had or are going to have either presidential or parliamentary elections. I believe the Lord is changing the times and seasons on the earth!

Third, all earthly kingdoms, no matter how powerful they may be, will eventually fall if these kingdoms are not in alignment with the kingdom of God, which is founded on righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:14).

With this understanding, let us pray fervently for God to set in leaders in our national and local offices who fear Him. Scripture says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. May God set leaders who have the competence to govern well and are in alignment with God’s kingdom principles. May He move in the hearts and minds of our electorate to have spiritual discernment in the selection of our government officials. Finally, let us pray for COMELEC and all its deputized government agencies such as the Department of Education, PNP, and AFP, that they would all fulfill their constitutional responsibilities to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and credible elections.

God bless the Philippines as we enter into a new season for His kingdom purpose in our nation!

Bishop Manny Carlos serves on the Bishops Council of Victory Philippines and is the Dean of Spiritual Life of Every Nation Seminary. He preaches at Victory Katipunan and continues to serve on the board of trustees of the following ministries: Touchlife Global Foundation, Global Filipino Movement, Pamilya Muna Pilipinas, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, and National Bible Day. His heart throughout his ministry has been to see our nation transformed by discipling future leaders who are on the university campuses and in the community. He is married to Mini, and they have four children: Jeremy, Daniel, Hannah, and Samuel.

Pray for Filipinos to Anchor Our Hope in God in Light of the Campaign and Election Season

February 22, 2022

As the nation officially welcomed the election campaign season, political aspirants braved the pandemic restrictions to seek support across the country. In the news, we see how the pandemic has been shaping opinions and choices that will be made by us, the Filipino people. Social media and public opinion has also been gaining ground as the days go by. The ten candidates who are vying for the highest executive position will be faced with the pressure of economic and post-pandemic recovery. Platforms that will position the country into progressive and inclusive growth are under watch.

With the outpouring support from people, resentment has also been amplified as colors and parties campaign. Choices have caused rifts in relationships and together with heavy political agendas infiltrating social media, and debates among fellow Filipinos can lead to dissociation among families, friends, colleagues, and church community.

As believers, we must stand against any division and seek unity and reconciliation above anything else the way Jesus prayed to the Father (John 17:21). Despite our political leanings, we have to remember that our identity remains to be the people of God. Our protection and future does not solely depend on the outcome of the elections, but on God alone. Jesus prayed this for His disciples, and this extends to us today:

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”
John 17:15–16 (NIV)

Our history has witnessed how political powers shift over time. Ratings of different political aspirants go up and down. Even with this temporary and ever-changing news, God remains the same. Whoever wins the election, His sovereignty stands. Let us pray that God’s truth will enable all Filipinos to see beyond campaigns and platforms across media, and for God’s church to remember His mission and mandate despite the political pressures surrounding our nation.

In a divisive time, let’s pray and declare the fruit of the Spirit to be more evident in us: the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23)

We stand our ground in prayer that the election will be truthful, peaceful, and insightful. As the apostle Paul instructed the early church:

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1–3

On the basis of this, let us pray!

PRAYER POINTS

Pray that we will see our identity as people of God before any political preferences and colors, as we participate in the coming elections. (John 17:16)
Let us declare a spirit of love instead of hate, openness instead of indifference, and humility instead of self-righteousness.
Let us claim God’s unity be upon the body of Christ and our nation. (John 17:21)
Pray that the current election season will build and restore our nation, and allow all Filipinos to find hope in God.

To learn more about the current situation in our nation, you can read the resources in the links below.

Pray for Hope in the Midst of Calamities and Political Divide

October 26, 2021

Earlier this month, aspirants for the upcoming Philippine Elections in May 2021 filed certificates of candidacy (COC). This has been one of the most talked about issues in news and social media platforms, and has caused a growing discourse over political opinions and preferences between Filipinos.

We are drawn to misunderstanding because of our differences in principles and choices. While differences and opinions are good, sometimes they can cause disunity and disrespect to arise among us. However, the strong emotions that fueled these conflicts may be the telltale sign of the hearts of the Filipinos—a heart that yearns for hope that change for our nation is possible.

As we prepare for what is up ahead, let us take this opportunity to declare our hope in the Lord. Let us pray for God’s redemptive work to prevail in our nation.

We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33:20–22 (NLT)

This is true even as we face another calamity during this prolonged pandemic season. Tropical Storm Maring has affected a lot of families and livelihoods since it entered the Northern Luzon region. According to NDRRMC, a total of 50,040 families or 194,677 people were displaced by the storm. Maring left a trail of destruction and an estimated PHP 1 billion damage to agriculture.

This is not the final episode of our nation’s story. As a nation, let us remember that God is King over the floods and calamities (Psalm 29:10–11). He is a God who redeems and restores, giving relief, hope, and strength in every season.

PRAYER POINTS

Pray that as a nation, we will look only to Jesus as our source of hope.
Pray that we will do our part in nation building through prayer and discipleship. (Acts 1:6–8; 1 Timothy 2:1–2)
Pray for everyone affected by Typhoon Maring in Northern Luzon. Pray for hope and relief in their present situation, and for God to restore everything they have lost.

To learn more about the current situation in our nation, you can read the resources in the links below.