Philippines election 2016 news update: 'An Appeal to God' prayer campaign begins, highlights 21-day prayer and fasting for May 9 polls

The Intercessors for the Philippines (IFP), an inter-denominational prayer movement connecting over 5,000 evangelical churches, calls families to join the "An Appeal to God" prayer campaign, in its advocacy for national transformation comes May 9 national polls. Said campaign highlights a 21-day prayer and fasting from April 18 to May 8.

As stated in IFP's "An Appeal to God" manual, the 21-day, nationwide prayer and fasting will "usher in the new season of righteousness and for God's glory to begin to arise." The passages Daniel 9:2–3 and Daniel 10: 2–3, with reference to Jeremiah 29:10–11, were seen on the first page of the manual.

Seventy years in the Bible speak of a period of captivity and judgment. Jeremiah prophesied about this, when Israel was about to be taken captive by Babylon, but it was prophet Daniel who remembered God's promise to Israel and contended for it in prayer and fasting, during Israel's time of desolation under Babylon.

Year 2016 is the end of the 70-year transition, from the time World War II ended and the Philippines was set free from foreign rule in 1946. This year's national election has a vital role in this long period of waiting since leaders are crucial in establishing righteousness in the land.

Objectives of the prayer campaign also include uprooting and demolishing the spirit of witchcraft in the government, pulling down the spirit of corruption that is evident in machineries of cheating, manipulation, and fraud in the electoral process, asking God to raise up righteous leaders and taking hold of God's promises for the country.

Prayer and fasting chains will be done by family, as each family decides to pray and fast for an agreed day in a week. This schedule will be followed in the entire three-week period, during which the family prays for at least 30 minutes during mealtime on the set day.

IFP aims to mobilize the Body of Christ to plead to God for national transformation and revival. It has been standing in the gap for 28 years now, so that the Philippines may reach her distinction in Asia as Christian nation.