PRAYER@PARLIAMENT

Dear [First Name]

This report and photographs taken during the gathering are now available on the website...

Christians from over 50 churches representing many denominations from the Wellington Region, Wairarapa and other regions came together to pray for our central and local government leaders in the Grand Hall of Parliament. The praise was glorious, the input was enlightening and the prayers were powerful. The Gathering broke into loud applause as Ps Rasik Ranchord announced that the present Christian prayer that opens Parliamentary Business each day will be retained in its present form without any alterations.

Ps Rasik brought an exhortation on the biblical concept of wisdom.  God commended Solomon when he got his priorities right and asked first and foremost for wisdom to govern his people. He sought God for political wisdom.  God was so pleased with him that God also gave him fame and wealth and long life as fringe benefits!

The High Commissioner for Samoa HE Leasi Papali'i Tommy Scanlan and HE Virginia Benavidez the Philippines Ambassador gave the Bible Readings on the theme of wisdom.

Prayer Track 1:  Party Leaders/Ministers, Speakers/Party Whips

• Tim Macindoe the Senior Government whip and MP for Hamilton West shared about the duties of a whip and the challenges they face.  The whip is a cross between a regimental sergeant major and a parish priest!    Whips keep a eye on the finances, keeping MPs in the House so that everyone does not go on leave from the House at the same time or be absent unnecessarily.  He mentioned that there are additional pressures for all MPs in being away from their families.
• Prayer Focus:  Leaders of all parties, Ministers, Speaker and his Team, Party Whips.

Prayer Track 2:  Duties and Challenges facing MPs.

• Gordon Copeland who was in Parliament for 6 years as a list MP shared about a typical week in an MP's life.
• Hon Chester Borrows, MP for Whanganui shared the challenges facing an eletorate MP.  He said the challenges facing electorate MPs are constant.  One has to always be prepared to listen and note the concerns of the members of your electorate.
• Prayer Focus:  Good health for MPs/Family Life of MPs/ Lonely Wives/ Time to relax etc.

Prayer Track 3:  Wellington Region Super City Proposal.

• John Terris who had been an MP for 12 years and a former Mayor of Lower Hutt city for 9 years made the input.  Proponents and opponents need to come to a balanced position between rationalisation and preserving local democracy.
• Prayer Focus:  The Local Government Commission/Quality Debate/Goodwill between opponents and proponents of the proposal.

The Hall was filled with praise with the people singing a concluding Hymn, ‘How Great Thou Art’!

The next Prayer @ Parliament Gatherings are scheduled for 4 June and 17 September 2015.