Share this article:-
Reading Time: 3 minutes

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Hosea 4:6

A nation with approximately 35 million people. With a record of over 97% adults known to have completed at least two doses of inoculation, Malaysia is a nation having one of the highest percentage of vaccinated population in the world, after Israel.

With this in mind, Malaysia can be regarded as a nation of people who trusts and believes in what the doctors say. But let’s assume we are not short of knowledge and wisdom. Let’s take it by the horns, that we Malaysians knows what’s best for ourselves, and we know what we are doing.

By this coming April 1st, Malaysia shall enter into the endemic phase of our battle against Covid-19 since two years ago. More businesses will be allowed to open and churches, for instance, are allowed to do away with screening tests as well as being permitted to accommodate for bigger crowds. The Prime Minister himself made the public announcement, and as such, it is highly unlikely there’s going to be any U-turn from this public decision, unless we have pressing reasons otherwise.

From the media, it appears the situation in the country is well-managed and the transition phase to endemic status, has been thought out for quite some time, relenting to demands from its people, to have fewer restrictions and accepting the reality, that at some point we have to learn to start living with coronavirus present and prevalent among us.

While the news of ending much of the restrictions is a welcoming relief to many, but the Malaysian public at large, is no longer the same crowd as we were one or two years ago. Adverse effects and untimely deaths have made us become more mindful and less at ease with the dangers of coming down with Covid-19 infections. As much as we want back our freedom, we are also equally cautious of being exposed to the virus. Again, allow me to reiterate, I’m speaking on the assumption, we are knowledgeable, and we have the wisdom to handling the situation well. One church in my hometown, have already made the announcement that come next month, most church attendance procedures shall be done away, except for members who have records of travelling outside the country, there’s technically no more rules when coming in to church, as long as the individual is on record, fully vaccinated.

On the other side of the city, another megachurch have started publicly praying for this endemic transition process, the prayer that was read out during its Sunday service yesterday, is summarized here for your easy reading. Inspired by the second half of Psalm 143:8, which reads, “… Make me know the way I should go, for to you, I lift my soul”, the church as one said a word of prayer to God, seeking divine intervention to hold things under control, for the orderly enforcement of new regulations and pleading God to protect the lives of people in this country.

But what’s troubling in this prayer, is the honest remark and acknowledgment, that despite having faith and confidence in an all-powerful God, the megachurch did not hesitate to admit that “the nation faces an unknown outcome with the easing of existing safety restrictions”, while they prayed for God’s wisdom. This is the voice of the truth from Malaysian Christians, what I believe, represents the cries from the hearts of its people, as both faith and fear battle for influence in the lives of the ordinary believer, and no one knows exactly what will occur in coming months or how things shall unfold.

May the good Lord be with us, and may the good Lord have mercy on us.

The Prayer For Hope

O God, our heavenly Father,

We commit Malaysia’s Covid-19 situation to You even as the endemic phase is officially declared over the nation this April.

Give wisdom to the authorities in all the states and federal territories as the nation faces an unknown outcome with the easing of existing safety restrictions.

May public health safety and wellbeing be not compromised as more economic and social sectors fully reopen.

We pray for clarity in the communication of new and modified Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in this endemic phase.

Let enforcement be done with proper coordination between the different government agencies and with due diligence and integrity.

We also pray for the public to be kept well-informed through the dissemination of factual and accurate information.

May people carry the conviction to continue taking necessary measures to protect themselves and others in the ever-present danger of new pandemic waves and Covid-19 variants.

In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.