PRAYER FOR NEGERI SEMBILAN
A brief history
The name, Negeri Sembilan, is believed to derive from the nine (sembilan) villages or nagari in the Minangkabau language (now known as luak). Negeri Sembilan was settled by the Minangkabau, a people originally from West Sumatra. The state currently comprises of seven districts, which in turn are divided into 61 mukims.
Negeri Sembilan endured Japanese occupation in World War II between 1942 and 1945, joined the Federation of Malaya in 1948, and became a state of Malaysia in 1963. In the 1990s and 2000s, Seremban and Nilai attracted people who moved in from the overcrowded towns of the Klang Valley. These two cities have also become the sites of new factories and industrial parks, accelerating the development of the state into modern times.
Significance of the Number 9
Biblically, the number 9 symbolizes divine completeness or conveys the meaning of finality. The number 9 also represents the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Declare Psalm 66:1-7
1 Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!
2 Sing about the glory of his name!
Tell the world how glorious he is.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.
4 Everything on earth will worship you;
they will sing your praises,
shouting your name in glorious songs.”
5 Come and see what our God has done,
what awesome miracles he performs for people!
6 He made a dry path through the Red Sea,
and his people went across on foot.
There we rejoiced in him.
7 For by his great power he rules forever.
He watches every movement of the nations;
let no rebel rise in defiance.
Pray for Negeri Sembilan
(a) Exalt the Name of God
Almighty God and Heavenly Father, we praise, bless and exalt You for who You are. Indeed, You are glorious and Your deeds are awesome. We acknowledge that all dominion belongs to You, and You rule over the nations. We thank You for the beautiful state of Negeri Sembilan and the developments that have taken place over the years. We declare that You reign over Negeri Sembilan and that You have a redemptive calling over this state and all her seven districts, namely Seremban, Port Dickson, Rembau, Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, Jempol and Tampin. We seek You, Lord, for the peace and prosperity of Negeri Sembilan.
(b) Confession and Repentance
Lord, Your Word says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that “if [Your people], who are called by [Your] name, will humble [ourselves] and pray and seek [Your] face and turn from [our] wicked ways, then [You] will hear from heaven, and [You] will forgive [our] sin and will heal [our] land.” We therefore humbly come before You to confess and repent of idolatry, self-centeredness and pride. Forgive our state for every form of sin, corruption and immorality. Let Your light shine upon Negeri Sembilan, and let this state experience divine favour and blessing. We claim Your Word that You will complete the work You have begun in this state.
(c) Pray for the State Government Leaders
Gracious Heavenly Father, right now, we ask for Your blessings upon the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar, Menteri Besar and all the political leaders in Negeri Sembilan so that they will lead in wisdom, discernment, understanding and the fear of God. Our desire is to see that the people in this state will lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Surround these leaders with God-fearing advisers, “for lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers” (Proverbs 11:14).
(d) Pray for the Church
O Lord, we praise and thank You that as Your Church, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Your special possession, that we may declare Your praises for You have called us out of darkness into Your wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). We pray for local churches in Negeri Sembilan to be united to seek Your face, O God. Help Your people to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). We ask, Lord, that You quicken and raise up more pastors, counsellors and intercessors in this state for such a time like this, “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13). We pray for Your Church to develop a thirst and hunger for righteousness, lead Christ-like lives and be fruitful in winning new souls into Your kingdom. We pray for all believers to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.
(e) Pray for the Families
Almighty God, we speak blessings upon families in this state. We pray for peaceful and loving husband-wife and parents-children relationships. Your Word says in Psalm 27:10 that “though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” Thus, may You be the father to the fatherless or the motherless. Strengthen the single parents and rebuild the broken walls of peace, love and harmony in families. We pray for the prodigal children to return home, and there will be reconciliation, inner healing and restoration of every broken and displaced family.
(f) Pray for the Next Generation
Lord, we also pray for the next generation in this state. Open doors of opportunities for them to receive holistic education as well as employment. We ask of You to release Your blessings upon the education institutions and churches to produce an emerging generation with “a different spirit.” Protect the young people against all defilement, worldly influence and negative peer pressure. Raise up a godly generation who will be difference-makers and agents of change in this state and in this nation. Raise up children, youth and young adults who are not ashamed of the Gospel. Cause a revival to break forth, in which great conviction of sin and holy cleansing take place. We declare and decree for a generation who will take the baton with great obedience and hasten the return of the Lord.
(g) Pray for the Prosperity of the State
Jehovah Jireh, we acknowledge that You are the God who provides. Your word says that it is You who give us the ability to produce wealth. As such, we look to You for the rebuilding of the economy of this state. We pray for businessmen to conduct their businesses with integrity so that there will be true success and prosperity. We pray for guidance upon the manufacturing sectors, agricultural activities and tourism industry in terms of knowledge, resources and important contacts.
(h) Pray for the Migrant Workers
Almighty God, we uphold the migrant workers in this state before You. Bless their welfare and help them to be able to meet their needs and provide for their families. We ask of You to empower and use us, as Your children and disciples, to be bold and make good of every opportunity to share the good news with them. As it is written in Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
(i) Pray against All Strongholds
Abba Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we rise up against the spirits behind cyber gambling and drug addiction. We uproot and overthrow the altars of traditional religions, false religions, cults, greed and sexual immorality. In the Name of Jesus, we push back the powers of darkness and break every evil mindset that comes from traditions and customs of various ethnic groups. We also proclaim freedom upon the people in Negeri Sembilan and release the purposes of God upon this state.
Thank You, Lord, for answering this prayer for the state of Negeri Sembilan.
In Jesus’ most precious and glorious Name we pray. Amen.