Aquino joins 2012 Global Day of Prayer in San
Juan
President Benigno S. Aquino III attended
Saturday morning the 2012 Global Day of Prayer in Greenhills, San Juan,
underscoring the importance of prayer for national unity and progress.
In his message, the President said he gathers
strength from prayer as well as the support of the Filipino people to
faithfully fulfill the responsibilities of the presidency.
The President also acknowledged the importance
of prayer saying his family also resorted to prayer during the dark days of
martial law when the late Senator Ninoy Aquino was imprisoned. Prayer unified
the Aquino family during those difficult times, he said.
“Today we invoke the same power of prayer to
unify, to remind us that despite some gaps in geography or perhaps even some
gaps in age, we are all brothers and sisters in our faith,” he said.
“Filipinos are known all over the world for our
faith, especially now that we are also becoming known for our initiatives to
change our own lives for the better. After all prayer is not simply trusting in
God’s divine providence; it is also letting His divine providence work through us,”
he added.
The President encouraged the people to always
think that everyone is always in the presence of God, noting that prayer could
help them overcome temptations, especially those in public office.
“Let us remember that the strength we gain from
prayer is not individual strength -- it is a strength that has roots from God,
and from the people around us. And thus, it is this strength we can rely on as
we move forward along the straight path—towards better lives for our countrymen
and of those in the world, but also towards a closer, more prosperous, and more
peaceful world,” he said.
Also during Saturday’s event, Christian church
leaders, led by Dr. Hugh White, prayed over the President for his success as
the country’s leader.
The Global Day of Prayer started in Africa in
2000 when South African Christian businessman, Graham Power, called all
Christians from all denominations in Cape Town for a Day of Repentance and
Prayer.
On May 2, 2004, history was made when Christians
from all 56 nations of Africa participated in the first ever continental Day of
Repentance and Prayer for Africa.
At a meeting of the International Prayer Council
in Malaysia in November 2004, the invitation from Africa went out to the
nations of the world to participate in a Global Day of Prayer process.
On Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005, Christians
from 156 of the 220 nations of the world united across denominational and
cultural borders for the first Global Day of Prayer. In the months following
this day, Christians were overwhelmed by the testimonies of God’s powerful work
in answer to these prayers, and in the years to follow the numbers kept
increasing.
Global Day of Prayer has gained momentum in the
last 10 years and has now laid the foundation to saturate nations in prayer.
Last year saw even greater participation from many nations, cities, towns,
communities, local churches and prayer groups. Organizers hope more people join
the Global Day of Prayer this year. (PCOO)
.
Aquino nominates career diplomat as Ambassador
to China
President Benigno S. Aquino III has nominated
career diplomat Sonia C. Brady as Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China
with concurrent jurisdiction over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and
Mongolia and named three new Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals (CA).
The appointment of Brady was announced by Deputy
Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte during an interview aired over
government-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
Ambassador Brady served as Philippine Ambassador
to Beijing from April 2006 to January 2010. She also served as Ambassador to
Thailand from 2002 to 2003, and Ambassador to Myanmar from 1995 to 1999.
Previously, Brady served as deputy chief of
mission to Indonesia from 1994 to 1995; deputy chief of mission to Thailand
(1992-1994); third secretary and vice consul and then second secretary and
consul in Beijing, China from 1976 to 1978.
She was also appointed as Undersecretary of
Foreign Affairs for Policy from July 2003 to 2006; special assistant, then
assistant secretary to the Office of the Secretary for Policy and Coordination;
director of the Office of Asia Pacific; assistant, then principal assistant, to
the Office of Political Affairs.
She earned her Master of Arts in International
Relations degree from the University of Southern California, B.S. Foreign
Service degree from the University of the Philippines, and AB Journalism degree
from the University of Sto. Tomas.
The Chief Executive also appointed Ma. Luisa
Quijano-Padilla, Renato C. Francisco, and Jhosep Y. Lopez as Associate Justices
of the Court of Appeals. (PCOO)
