A Service of Prayer for the Nation 2005

A report by

Lim K Tham, General Secretary,

National Council of Churches of Singapore

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone---for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
(1 Tim 2:1-3).

The above Pauline injunction, a desire to invoke divine blessings upon the people of Singapore, and a wish to give thanks to God for the republic's 40 years of independence----these were the driving forces behind this year's National Day Prayer Service.

The service organised by the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) took place at the historic St Andrew's Cathedral on 15 August 2005, the Monday closest to National Day. Thanks to advanced publicity by the organising committee, the cathedral was nearly filled to capacity. In the congregation were a number of invited Members of Parliament, senior civil servants, representatives from the Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore and the "Love Singapore" movement, as well as clergy from various local churches.

The service began with the cathedral's bells ringing out a stirring tune----"Great is Thy Faithfulness." The choir of Christ Methodist Church followed with a medley of hymns. As the choir sang, a procession of bishops, heads of churches and those who would lead in the service made its paced entry towards the high altar, led by a cross-bearer.

The procession completed, Col David Bringans, the territorial commander of the Salvation Army rose to issue the customary "call to worship." The enthusiastic congregation responded heartily with refrains of "The Living God be Praised!" In a united voice, the congregation went on to sing a number of well-loved hymns and choruses to the accompaniment of music provided by the Wesley Ensemble & Friends under the direction of Jusuf Kam.

A paean by the Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church choir entitled Sthothirem Seivane or "I Give Thanks" followed. A hush was felt as the congregation drew in every timbre and din that the choir and its instrumentalists so soothingly delivered.

"Look graciously, O Lord upon this land…." with these words Bishop Dr Robert Solomon of the Methodist Church led a responsive prayer. Prayers for the nation's leaders, civil service and key areas of national life were offered successively by Bishop John Tan of the Lutheran Church, Rev Dr Patrick Lau of the Assemblies of God, Rt Rev Phua Chee Seng of the Presbyterian Church, Major Bob Lee of the Salvation Army, and Rev Sebastian Chua of the Singapore Baptist Convention. While heads were still bowed, the Rev Canon Kuan Kim Seng, vicar of the Cathedral urged the people to pray silently submitting their own private supplications to the throne of Grace.

After prayers, it was time for a reading of scripture by Dr Bobby Sng, president of the Bible Society of Singapore, and the sermon by the Rt Rev Dr John Chew, Bishop of Singapore and president of the National Council of Churches of Singapore. In his sermon entitled "Wine & Wineskin: Are They New? Are They Old?"(based on Matthew 9:14-17), the bishop spoke of the issues of change and challenge that Singapore was now faced. He expressed concern that in the process of the nation remaking or restructuring itself, it would encounter "cracks," even major ones. He urged the church to be prayerful and to be ready to play its part in the continuing task of nation-building.

At the offertory as the ushers circulated the collection bags, the Voices of Praise presented their gift in song---two beautiful and edifying pieces alternately in Chinese and English.

The service concluded with a benediction. As the people made their way out of the sanctuary, the team of worship leaders had regrouped under the porch to offer a prayer of thanksgiving---for fine weather, good attendance and a meaningful service.