AUG 9

WEEK 7 | LEGACY

NATION-BUILDERS’ DAY coming across as contrived or merely out n May our Government wisely of obligation. Rather, may it be a natural conduct our foreign affairs in such a 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4 | First of all, then, I urge outcome of minorities stepping up and time when international diplomacy that supplications, prayers, intercessions, taking ownership of nation-building, with is touchy and complicated. May and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high vision, passion, and a deep sense of our Ministers, ambassadors, and positions, that we may lead a peaceful duty. diplomats enjoy favour on the and quiet life, godly and dignified in every international stage. May they sharply n May politics no longer be a dirty word. way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in May never lack competent discern any hidden motives and the sight of God our Saviour, 4 who desires leaders in the political arena. May agenda behind the words and actions all people to be saved and to come to the of superpowers that court us. knowledge of the truth. aspiring leaders learn to first lay down their lives and humbly serve from the n May foreign investors continue to th On this 56 National Day, ground up. May God protect us from have confidence in Singapore as a acknowledge God. Give thanks: wolves in sheep’s clothing who seek great place to do business because For Singapore and all who love political office for personal agenda or of our political stability and consistent Singapore. For all who regard this vainglory. May our next Prime Minister be policies. May God stir the heart of nation as home truly, worthy of a person of integrity. One who is proven, our Government to increase practical civility and godly patriotism. For humble, selfless, mature, courageous, assistance to nations in crisis, our founding fathers who laid solid discerning, and wise, leading Singapore sharing best practices, and helping foundations. For the Church, building forward through unchartered waters. less fortunate neighbours succeed in from the knees up, proclaiming Good May Singapore’s leadership renewal and their own nation-building efforts. News, and doing good works. For succession process be a model worthy of n everyone in every generation that emulation by the rest of the world. May God give our Government seeks the shalom of our city. great favour with Singaporeans, n May our Government remain especially the younger generation. In this pandemic, thank God corruption-free. Righteousness exalts May we passionately cooperate especially for young people a nation, but sin is a reproach to any with their nation-building efforts: who sincerely care about people (PRO 14:34, NKJV). May all our When our Government highlights the Singapore’s future. For Millennials Ministers exhibit impeccable character issue of ageing population, may we who seek God on her behalf and and keep all their actions above board. model charity at home. May we pay pray for her with perspective and attention to our ageing parents and n May our Government always be discernment. Below are the stirrings honour them as commanded in the sensitive to the ground and the needs of their hearts. Ponder and pray: Word (EX 20:12). May we prepare them of the ordinary person. May they always mentally, emotionally, physically, n May we not take our unique respond humbly, with listening ears and financially, and spiritually for their democracy for granted. May we compassionate hearts. May they do golden years, so that they can never allow Singapore to descend justly and love mercy, always mindful of flourish in old age. May we be good into chaos like some countries where the least among us. May they continually neighbours and look out for seniors elections are a sham, marred by review and improve social policies that in our blocks, especially the elderly deception, division, and distrust. As create equal opportunity for all, making poor who live alone. May we work Christians, may we be God-fearing sure no one falls through the cracks, and with our MPs to care for these, not and vote responsibly. May we do no one is left behind. in random touch-and-go fashion, our due diligence by scrutinising n May our Government reimagine but through whole-of-church support each party’s manifesto and motives. Singapore’s economic future with great and on-going volunteerism. When May we appreciate Prime Minister insight and foresight. May they remain our Government highlights declining for appointing a Leader of the ever vigilant and agile, adjusting existing birth rates and promotes a Singapore Opposition in Parliament in response policies and designing new solutions that Made for Families, may we not take it to the GE2020 results which showed empower Singapore to thrive in these lightly. May corporations heed the call a clear desire for a diversity of changing times. and support the initiative with family- voices in Parliament (THE STRAITS TIMES, n friendly policies. May young couples, 28 JULY 2020). May all queries, ideas, May our Government tackle every especially Christians, choose to be and contributions be taken seriously challenge with confidence, always doing fruitful and multiply as commanded and debated robustly. May mutual the right thing in the right way and for all by our Creator (GEN 1:28). May the respect, truth, and wisdom prevail. the right reasons. May they never pander Singapore Church honour God to populism, never fear rejection or n by supporting this nation-building May there be a stronger backlash for doing what is right and best priority. representation of minorities, without for Singapore. next page AUG 9

n Mr Minister for Trade and Industry The LORD bless you PRAY THE WORD n Mr S Iswaran and keep you; the Minister for Transport n Proverbs 2:6-15 For the LORD gives wisdom; ORD n L make his face Ms Hai Yien from his mouth come Minister for Sustainability and the to shine upon you and knowledge and understanding; Environment 7 be gracious to you; he stores up sound wisdom n Mr for the upright; he is a shield the LORD lift up his Minister for Education to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice countenance upon you n Mr Minister for Finance and watching over the way and give you peace. of his saints. 9 Then you will n Mr understand righteousness and NUMBERS 6:24-26 Minister for Social and Family justice and equity, every good Development and Second path; 10 for wisdom will come Minister for Health into your heart, and knowledge n Mr will be pleasant to your soul; 11 Minister for Health discretion will watch over you, BLESS! n Mr Desmond Lee understanding will guard you, On this National Day, be God’s Minister for National 12 delivering you from the way mouthpiece to bless all in Development of evil, from men of perverted authority: speech, 13 who forsake the n Mrs paths of uprightness to walk in Minister for Communications and n Madam Halimah Yacob the ways of darkness, 14 who Information and Second Minister President rejoice in doing evil and delight for Home Affairs 15 n Mr in the perverseness of evil, n Prime Minister Ms Indranee Thurai Rajah men whose paths are crooked, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, and who are devious in their n Mr Second Minister for Finance and ways. Deputy Prime Minister and Second Minister for National Coordinating Minister for Development n Proverbs 21:1 Economic Policies The king’s heart is a stream of n Dr Mohamad Maliki water in the hand of the LORD; n Mr bin Osman he turns it wherever he will. and Coordinating Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Minister for National Security Second Minister for Education n Proverbs 8:14-16 n Mr Tharman and Second Minister for Foreign Counsel and sound judgment Shanmugaratnam Affairs are mine; I have insight, I have power. 15 By me kings reign and Senior Minister and Coordinating n Mr Minister for Social Policies Minister for Culture, Community rulers issue decrees that are just; 16 by me princes govern, n Dr and Youth and Second Minister and nobles—all who rule on Minister for Defence for Law earth. n Dr n Dr Tan See Leng Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and n Mr K Shanmugam Industry Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law