Prayer for Critical Event – State of Johor

JOHOR STATE ELECTIONS

A brief history

Johor was known in its early days as ‘Ujong Tanah’ meaning Land’s End.

The present name Johor comes from an adaptation of the Arabic word ‘Jauhar’ which means precious stone or jewel. It was founded in the early 1500s, by Sultan Ahmad Shah, the heir of Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last Sultan of Malacca before it fell into Portuguese hands.

This Empire was then controlled by the Bugis of Celebes and the Minangkabaus of Sumatra in the 18th century. With British intervention, the state fell into the control of one Daing Ibrahim, who took the title of Sultan. His son, Sultan Abu Bakar, prospered Johor, developing its own constitution and efficiently administrating the state. For his efforts, Johor was the only state in Malaysia not completely controlled by the British right up till Independence Day.

Recent Development

Johor is the Southern Gateway of Peninsular Malaysia, and has contributed highly to the development of Malaysia. Johor’s location as a main trade route and a hub for international trade assisted by systematic logistics network has resulted in economic growth. Johor’s three main ports, Tanjung Pelepas, Tanjung Langsta and Johor Port, provide a good network for commercial centres and industries throughout Malaysia and regional countries. This has been supported by solid infrastructure in road and railway networking. In addition, Senai International Airport provides world class infrastructure with a comprehensive package of flights, cargo, logistics and passengers facilities. All these key factors make Johor a preferred destination for domestic and foreign investors, and facilitate the achievement of economic growth.

Politics

Batu Pahat in Johor is associated with many strident personalities in politics. Some even say it’s the birthplace of radicalism in Malaysia. Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tony Pua, Teo Nie Ching, Tan Sri Chua Soi Lek, Dr Syed Husin Ali were born or raised here. The former prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, went to school here. The state’s royals are a spirited household too. Johoreans are indeed a nationalistic and proud people.

State Elections

The 2022 Johor state election, formally the 15th Johor general election, is expected to take place on 12 March 2022. This election is to elect 56 members of the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly. The previous assembly was dissolved on 22 January 2022.

The state election is being conducted in the midst of the 2020-22 Malaysian political crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. This snap election was called prematurely after the state government, led by Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad, was left with a razer thin majority of just 28 seats, against the 27 seats of the opposition, following the death of Kempas assemblyman and former Menteri Besar Osman Sapian on 21 December 2021 before the dissolution. The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail, consented to the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly on 22 January 2022. The state election is the fourth election after the 2018 general election, resulting in the most amount of non-simultaneous elections between federal and state elections in a single 5-year term of parliament in the nation’s history. The state election is also the third election after Ismail Sabri Yaakob took over as Prime Minister in August 2021. This state election will also be the first in which 18-20 year olds are eligible to vote after the gazettement of the constitutional amendment on 15 December 2021.

Prayer Points for Johor State Election

Isaiah 60:1

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”

Arise, shine, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon Johor. The Light of Righteousness of the Lord shall shine over the Southern Gateway covering the whole state of Johor and defeating all the forces of darkness.

God’s Will Be Done and His Name Be Glorified

Matthew 6:10

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Psalm 33:10-11

¹⁰ The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.

¹¹ The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

The plans of His heart to all generations.

Daniel 2:21

And He changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and raises up kings;

He gives wisdom to the wise

And knowledge to those who have understanding.

We pray for

The counsel and the plans of our Lord for Johor to stand.
The removal of all the schemes of the enemy that stand against His will.
Wisdom and knowledge of the Lord to be upon all Johoreans.
Changes in Johor that will exalt and glorify Him.

The State Election Commission

Psalms 103:6

The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

We pray

That the election commission will conduct a fair, just, clean and smooth election.
That they will not succumb to any internal or external negative influences.
That they will be no blackouts, phantom voters and other forms of cheating.

The Candidates

Proverbs 14: 34

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 29:4

By justice a King gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.

We pray

That candidates of exemplary integrity and morality will be elected.
That candidates who are corrupt, self-serving and divisive will not be elected.
For candidates with clean hands and pure hearts to arise and stand for election.
For our Lord to uphold and protect all the righteous candidates and their families from evil forces.
For God’s chosen candidates to be blessed with wisdom and discernment to enlighten the voters with the truth as they campaign.

The Voters

Proverbs 3:13

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;

Proverbs 3:21-23

²¹ My son, let them not depart from your eyes—

Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

²² So they will be life to your soul

And grace to your neck.

²³ Then you will walk safely in your way,

And your foot will not stumble.

We pray

That the young “Undi 18” voters (about 750,000 in Johor State) will be blessed with godly wisdom and discernment to vote the right candidate.
That all eligible voters will exercise their right and vote wisely for candidates who truly care for the well-being of Johoreans.
That the voters especially, the new young voters, will not be deceived by false propaganda and monetary gains.
That the voters will not succumb to fear of Covid transmission and stay home.
For good weather on the polling day and a big voter turnout so that the elected government will be a true reflection of the choice of the Johoreans.

Safety of Polling Stations

Psalm 121:7-8

⁷ The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

⁸ The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

We pray

For the blood of Jesus to cover all polling stations.
That no cheating will prevail at all the polling stations.
That there will be strict adherence to the SOPs as campaigning and voting go on.
That there will be no spike in the Covid-Omicron cases as people come out to vote.
For the Police and Security forces to maintain law and order from nomination day to voting and counting day.
Against every form of violence, disturbances, threats and blackmail.
Against the use of race and religion to stir up trouble.

Righteous Protocol

Isaiah 28:17

¹⁷ Also I will make justice the measuring line,

And righteousness the plummet;

The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies,

And the waters will overflow the hiding place.

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favour rather than silver and gold.

We pray

For the Lord to remove those who might try to unjustly and illegally change the outcome of the voting.
For protection from any attacks from enemies that would prevent or delay the election.
Against money politics, against all forms of vote buying, against ‘party-hopping’ – that the court cluster influence will not prevail.
That the Palace will remain apolitical and will allow freedom in the formation of the next state government.
That new state government will safeguard the welfare and rights of all Johoreans, especially -religious freedom.

Spiritual Atmosphere over Johor

Proverbs 21:22

A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the trusted stronghold.

Proverbs 11:11

By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

We pray

That the churches will recognize the evil principalities that are at work in Johor and pray strategically.
That the Lord will awaken the believers in Johor to take up their position in strong prayers.
For a mighty spirit of worship and prayer to saturate every believer’s house, town and district to counteract the forces of darkness.
That as all God’s people come together to worship and pray, the Lord will command a blessing and send His heavenly hosts to take control of the spiritual realm over Johor.

Declaration / Blessing

We want to become worthy watchmen guarding over our state of Johor.

We will rise together to hear Your voice and the direction You have for our state.

We will not despise Your instruction nor the wisdom given by Your chosen leaders sent to guide and protect us.

We will live with -godly wisdom and understanding so we, as Your church, are able to move together with You for the good of our state.

Let our churches be restored in love, power, strength and steadfastness, rising to new heights of purity and fervour as worshippers and witnesses, so we can put a stop to all of the enemies’ schemes and evil conduct by exposing them.

We declare that the outcome of the coming state election will see the voice of truth, justice and righteousness prevail.

We declare that Johor will be victorious in fighting all forms of unrighteousness and evil forces in the state.

We declare that state leaders will be stirred in their hearts by the Holy Spirit to execute Your will that can affect the destiny of Johor.

May Your glory and honour pervade this state and consequently fulfil Your plan and purpose for Johor.

Every Johorean will have goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love in increasing measure.

God will be glorified through this election and His will be established.

Let’s continue to intercede for our beloved State of Johor.

“We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth.”

– Andrew Murray