By Ret. Col. Dr. Dencio Acop
It is a beautiful Easter day as I write this prayer. Isn’t it awesome to be able to celebrate the Holy Week and Easter once again in person? It is a miracle just to see people doing the Way of the Cross and congregating in the church in observance of the festivities. Without masks even in the place where I’m at. The peace and serenity that fills the air at Saint Joseph Parish seems so far removed from the political strife that goes on in my home country. In less than a month, my countrymen will elect a new leader for the next six years. Given the death and destruction that ruined the lives of so many, I pray that a God-chosen, a benevolent leader emerges from the ashes of the past six years.
Dearly beloved God, I pray that you enlighten the hearts and minds of fellow Filipinos to choose moral uprightness over money and power, the common good over petty interests, their country than themselves, their infinite souls over finite worldliness, You over Satan. I pray that the upcoming elections be free and fair like in the old days when we in the AFP supported Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections. I pray that my fellow countrymen choose their God-inspired values enshrined in the Constitution like honesty, hard work, respect for the rule of law, and faithfulness to their God and Country. I pray that wolves in sheep’s clothing do not deceive them and steal away their innocence and freedom. I pray that my countrymen think of the future of their children and their children’s children for generations to come.
My dearly beloved Lord and Savior, I ask that you remove the blinders from our eyes so we can see clearly truth from deceit, our souls from our bodies, your heavenly kingdom from eternal damnation. I ask that you heal the hardness of our hearts so we can truly love those in our care, the least lost and last among us whom we are supposed to look after and not exploit for personal gain. I ask that you convert our innermost inclinations to seek you instead of worldly power, wealth, honor, and pleasure — the gods of this world led by the prince of darkness. Please strengthen our faith, hope, and love that we may overcome our spiritual warfare which is the real battleground merely manifesting through our physical realities. Because you speak to us in our conscience and in our peace of mind. Have mercy on us once more and give us the chance to save our Republic from permanent ruin. Retake what had always been yours Father. Save your people once more from their sins and take us to your Promised Land. You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
