When Rose told me about the city-wide prayer rally on Sunday, my first question was, "What will happen if it rains?" She looked at me reproachfully and said, "It won't. Where is your faith?"
I guess you could say that I went to find that faith, when Dad and I joined 30,000 other believers in Hong Kong for the Worldwide Day of Prayer rally at the Hong Kong Stadium.It was hot and sticky, but there was not only no sign of rain, thick clouds also shielded us from the sun's unmerciful rays. When a refreshing breeze swept through the stadium, the crowd broke out in grateful applause. I couldn't help but remember the first Pentecost and thought, "The Spirit is here."
For the next two hours, the Lord swept me up into His presence as we worshipped, confessed our sins, and prayed for the world.
And then He gripped my heart as the camera zeroed in on China's flag. "This flag represents 1.3 billion people," said the MC. "Turn with me to the North Side of the stadium, lift up your hands, and let us bless our country."
How does one pray for 1.3 billion people? My mind flew from the country villages to the cities, the elderly to the youth, the house church to the Three Self Church, the ordinary citizen to the government officials, the educators to the entertainers... This flag not only represents who I am, but also what I am not. Tears streamed down my face as I turned toward the North and uplifted that great country before the throne of Heaven.If the Lord honors the prayers of two or three, what do you think He does with the prayers of 30,000?
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"And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace." (Jeremiah 29:7).
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Soul Lemonade, No. 18
Hong Kong, China
