Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said, , “So we really have to pray for the presidency to succeed because all of us will benefit. If he fails we will all fail, So we really have to pray for each other.” (https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1070545/palace-to-clergy-we-will-also-pray-for-you) This was the message of Malacanang on the day of the procession of Black Nazarene.
While Pres.Duterte is relentless in insulting God and the church, Malacanang now is asking to pray for Duterte. But the request arrogates its demand that we have to do it because if he fails, we will fail.
Prayer is the expression of our deep intimacy to the One whom we can entrust our emotions, innermost desires and dreams. We establish connection with God, in whatever way we name this God in our lives. WE pray individually and collectively. Prayers do not seek for magical intervention for our aspiration, it is but an innermost petition that reflect our current situation- personal or public.
In our prayer guide, we were told that it will help if we start with thanksgiving- the recognition of our positive insights, followed by the self-criticism ( the things that we did that offended others and the things that we did not do that affected our community). The supplication part is our prayer requests or petition.
Our prayers are our connection with God and to one another.
We do not want to corrupt our prayers and make it as an accomplice to the President’s success when it meant:
- The killings of the poor, because he thinks that the problem of addiction can be solved by executing them. Unfortunately, he failed to see that poverty and lack of social services are the fertile ground for illegal drugs to proliferate. The poor ones who became the direct victims of killings a.k.a. “tokhang” never had the chance to access initial court proceedings that would at least provide them legal services. Duterte along with the police authorities are unrepentant about the “killings” and vowed to pursue the killings because Duterte believes that it is the only solution to the problem. The despicable killings have marked not only pain but a legacy of failed governance in providing welfare and services to the poor.
No, we will not pray for the success of this killing project, because above all things, LIFE is precious and that governance means ensuring that people live with dignity and honor.
No we will not pray for the success of this killing project, because we have been witnesses to the wailing and grieving of the many mothers and kin whose loved ones were killed.
WE PRAY THAT JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED AND THAT THE KILLINGS WILL STOP.
WE PRAY THAT THE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WILL GATHER STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO RISE UP – WAVE BY WAVE SEEKING FOR TRUTH , JUSTICE AND PEACE.
WE PRAY THAT GOD OUR IMMANUEL WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US AS WE WORK TOGETHER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE
- Crushing down the communities who are defending the rights of indigenous people and defending the environment. The Lumad alternative schools initiated by religious and non-government organizations, and communities themselves are being militarized and maligned as “communist” schools. The dream of their parents is for their children to have access to education services so they will become better members of community and that they will be critical and analytical. The Lumad schools are teaching the students to be patriotic, scientific and compassionate to the people. But the government of Duterte does not like this, it would rather destroy these schools.
No, we will not pray for the success of militarization, the maligning and closing down of Lumad schools because we want the Lumad to prosper and to become change-agents themselves for the good of our country.
WE PRAY THAT THE LUMAD PEOPLE WILL SERVE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY OF US WHO OUT OF THEIR BEAUTIFUL DREAMS OF HAVING EDUCATION ARE STRIVING TO MAKE THEIR DREAMS A REALITY. WE PRAY THAT THEY COULD GO BACK AGAIN TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND LIVE PEACEABLY WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS AND GOD’S CREATION.
- Disrespecting the women and the promotion of violence against women through his misogynistic and macho-patriarchal pronouncements and deeds.
WE PRAY THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE WOMEN AND MEN WHO WOULD BE AWAKENED AND NOT CONDONE THESE ACTS JUST BECAUSE HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAND.
- The imprisonment of activists, human rights defenders , the freedom loving people and the consultants in the Peace Talks. Due to the intention of the Duterte government to crush down the insurgency and the revolution, it wanted the administration tagged them terrorists. Just like the previous governments , it has chosen the militaristic approach in addressing the roots of the armed conflict. Peace Talks is meant for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front (representing the revolution) to talk about PEACE on the basis of addressing the roots of the armed conflict- the poverty, landlessness, corruption. Hence, the Peace Talks crafted an agenda that would benefit the Filipino People.
WE PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR LAND,
A LASTING PEACE BASED ON JUSTICE.
- The killing of priests and bishops and using the “tambays” to execute the
WE PRAY THAT THE TAMBAYS WILL BE AWAKENED , AND WILL KNOW THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THEM CRIMINALS RATHER THAN PROVIDING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE.
WE PRAY THAT WE WILL NOT BE AN ACCOMPLICE TO THE PROJECTS OF DUTERTE THAT ARE MEANT TO KILL, TO VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS, TO DISRESPECT OUR FAITH AND RELIGION.
THIS WILL BE OUR PRAYER .
In the name of EVERY woman, man, and child denied of better LIFE AND BETTER future because we have stupid government.
So Help us God. AMEN
patentero 