The people’s will shone clearly in their lighted candles. On November 12, one million candles lit up Gwanghwamun Plaza in “reproof” to the president for abusing her powers. Christian or non-Christian, all who gathered and held up their lighted candles at the plaza shared the same sentiment. Christian believers among them shouted quotes from the Old Testament prophet: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)
Prof. Ra Yeong-hwan of Chongshin University said, “Jesus Christ told his disciples to let their light shine in the dark world, so that others might see their good works and give glory to the Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
Prof. Lee Eui-yong of Kookmin University said, “The church should be salt for the rotten world, and light for the dark world. To be able to carry out this mission, Christians must read the situation correctly and empathize with the pains of our time.”
On November 13, the day after the mass rally and march, Rev. Lee Young-hoon of Yoido Full Gospel Church preached on the situation at the church’s Sunday service. In his message titled “Now it is time to pray (Jeremiah 33:1-3),” he said, “The massive candlelight gathering can be interpreted as the people’s discovery of a ‘cancer’ in our society. That the cancer has been discovered means this is an opportunity to cut it out. We should not despair, but put our trust and hope in God, who does all things.”
Thirty pastors of the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK Tonghap; Rev. Lee Seong-hui, moderator) gathered for prayers on November 12 at the Korean Church Centennial Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul (photo below). They picked Jeremiah 7:3-7 as the theme for prayer. The pastors expressed repentance for the church’s distancing itself from society and avoiding social participation, and resolved to speak out as prophets.
On this day, the National Prayer Coalition held the Mizpah United Prayer Meeting for National Salvation, with a gathering of 5,000 believers at Seoul Station Plaza. Lee Young-hui of the Esther Prayer Movement said, “So that the President may repent of her wrong deeds and stand righteously in the Word, let us pray for the recovery of her wisdom, courage, spirit, and body.”
Reporters Sangmok Shin, Kang Ju-hwa, & Paek Sang-hyun (smshin@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Full Story in Korean:
촛불 든 크리스천 “하나님의 공의가 강같이 흐르게”
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