SA gitna ng umiinit na usapin kaugnay ng People’s Initiative, nanawagan ang isang beteranong mambabatas na isa ring pastor sa mga lider ng bansa na huwag gamitin ang dasal para sa ‘political points.’

Ayon kay Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., kapag nagdarasal ang tao direkta itong nakikipag-ugnayan sa Ama.

“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,” ani Abante.

“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 take 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,” paalala ni Abante.

Si Abante ay isang senior pastor ng Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church at pangulo ng Bible Believers’ League for Morality and Democracy (BIBLEMODE), na mayroong 6,000 miyembrong Baptist pastor sa bansa.

Paalala ni Abante, “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,” sabi pa ni Abante, “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.”

Sinabi ni Abante na dapat ay palaging alalahanin ng mga mananampalataya na: “our prayers are sacred; they should unite us in our common humanity and shared divinity, not be used as tools for division or self-promotion.”

Umapela rin si Abante sa mga mambabatas na manatiling magalang at propesyonal sa gitna ng umiinit na debate sa People’s Initiative.

“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,” giit pa ni Abante.

Ginawa ni Abante ang pahayag matapos ang kontrobersyal na panalangin ni Sen. Imee Marcos sa Jesus is Lord Worldwide Prayer and Vision Casting 2024 na ginanap sa Norzagaray, Bulacan noong Sabado, Enero 27 kung saan isinama nito ang isyu ng pag-amyenda sa Konstitusyon sa kanyang dasal.