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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Sacrilegious' to use prayer for 'poltical points', says pastor-solon 

'Sacrilegious' to use prayer for 'poltical points', says pastor-solon 

Published Jan 28, 2024 03:20 am

At A Glance

  • Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. has asked his fellow politicians to avoid using prayer as a way to attain brownie points in the raging debate on Charter change (Cha-cha). 

IMG-05b6556a2a35746ffd8399cee3760f4f-V.jpgManila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. has asked his fellow politicians to avoid using prayer as a way to attain brownie points in the raging debate on Charter change (Cha-cha).

At the same time, the pastor-congressman told solons to "maintain civility and professionalism", as he cited the "rising tensions" between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

"When we pray, we communicate directly with our Father... it is our direct line to God, a sacred conversation meant for worship, repentance, and genuine supplication," Abante said.

He reminded the country's leaders that "Clothing prayer in political veiled comments is sacrilegious; the Bible is there to impart God's word––it is not there to help us score political points."

"I respectfully urge all public servants and private citizens...to reflect upon the profound responsibility we carry in our public expressions of faith. Let our prayers be true reflections of our hearts, seeking only God’s will and devoid of any personal gain," he noted.

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Abante, a former deputy speaker, didn't direct his plea to any particular person.

"The Bible teaches us in Exodus 20:7 that 'Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' This commandment, a cornerstone of our faith, is not merely about utterances, but about the very attitude and reverence we hold towards God. It is a directive against using God’s name for purposes such including political gain or influence," he further explained.

The 300-member House has been pursuing the lifting of the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. The 24-member Senate, on the other hand, appear to be more concerned with the checks and balances pertaining to how Cha-cha will be carried out.

Moreover, he said that "As the leaders of the land, we should serve as examples for our countrymen. Let us show that we can disagree without being disagreeable––that we can advance our positions with passion, yet remain personable."

Abante is a senior pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and is the president of the Bible Believers’ League for Morality and Democracy (BIBLEMODE), which has a membership of 6,000 Baptist pastors in the country,

Related Tags

Sen. Imee Marcos Charter change Bienvenido Abante
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