MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has urged Filipinos to pray hard during these times when the government has to deal with so many problems and called for “deep faith” in God.
Speaking at the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church Worldwide’s 33rd anniversary celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Friday night, Aquino said people must be one with the government in turning to God to deal with these problems.
He said the government is striving hard to make the necessary changes in the country, but there would always be people who would stop his administration from reforming the old system.
JIL leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva also called on Filipinos to pray amid all the crises that the President and the government are hurdling.
Villanueva led the launching of the 12 noon habit of praying for the country by uttering “God bless the Philippines” every noontime.
The event was attended by tens of thousands of people belonging to various evangelical church denominations.
Aquino praised JIL members for their unwavering faith in God and said “the times call for deep faith too.”
He said his government inherited many problems from the previous administration, especially poverty, due to various irregularities.
The President said there were those trying to block his government from moving forward and that he was just fortunate that many Filipinos remained on his side.
He expressed confidence that he would not fail with continued support from the people.
Aquino thanked the JIL for uniting the people to serve God and for enabling the government to help those in need.
“Thank you also to the people who show their support for our agenda of change,” he said.
“Please pray for the country and the government’s crusade to put an end to the suffering of many of our countrymen; that we will be given enough strength to do the right thing and make the people feel the positive effects of the reforms,” Aquino said.
The President cited the importance of prayer no matter what religion the people belonged to, just like what happened in the first people power revolution on EDSA in 1986 where prayer became the Filipinos’ strongest weapon against oppression and violence.
“The word of God remains the most effective guide in dealing with our fellowmen, in setting aside our personal interests for the interest of the majority, in looking after the welfare of other people and for hope to spring eternal in times of suffering,” he said.
“During times when we focus on hatred... on things that cause division instead of those that can bind us, in times that we close our hearts, that is also the time that we move away from God’s care,” he added.
The President said as long as he has the support, love and prayers of the people, he would not be swayed by those who kept on instilling doubts in the hearts of people.
“God is on our side and He is our guiding light to true prosperity,” Aquino said.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said the absence of any official schedule for the President this long weekend does not mean he is not going to work while the rest of the people go on vacation.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio station dzRB the President would monitor the situation along with the Cabinet secretaries and other government officials who should oversee the yearly exodus of people from Metro Manila during the long break.
“They are not on vacation. Whenever there are holidays, the President brings home briefing papers and does other paper work. He takes advantage of the time that he has to review papers,” Valte said.
She said the President would also wait for reports from the Department of Transportation and Communications, Metro Manila Development Authority, and Philippine National Police on whatever is happening in the country.
Valte said the preparations for the holidays are “so far, so good” as various agencies are already prepared for contingencies.