When our country is hurting, we hold the line — the FaithLine.

FaithLine — an online gathering of prayer linking homes, communities, and hearts across the Philippines for seven days (August 15-21, 2025), leading to:

🌾 Ayuno • 🙏 Dasal • 🤲 Sakripisyo Para sa Katotohanan 🌾

💙 Pray — Lift up our leaders, our people, our future

💛 Fast — Skip a meal or comfort for the sake of others

❤️ Offer — A small sacrifice for the healing of our nation

This is for everyone who believes prayer can change hearts and heal our land.

WHY WE PRAY AND FAST

🙏 To lift our Supreme Court, Senate, and Congress into God’s light

🕊️ To seek truth and integrity in national and local leadership

🤲 To intercede for the poor, the young, and the vulnerable

🌅 To plead for the healing and renewal of our beloved Philippines

HOW YOU CAN JOIN

✨ FAST: Offer simple meals or abstain from certain comforts as an act of solidarity

✨ PRAY: Set aside an hour each day to join FaithLine

✨ SACRIFICE: Give of your time, attention, or resources to works of justice and mercy

✨ SHARE: Invite family, friends, and communities to be part of this movement

Mila Magno

Day 1: August 15, 2025

STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART

During the first Faithline Online Prayer Gathering on Friday, August 15, 2025, (with the prayer intentions focusing on the Supreme Court justices) Msgr. Jerry V. Bitoon, Rector of the Cathedral Parish of St. Paul, San Pablo, Laguna, gave a stirring reflection on Deuteronomy 16:18-20 which reads: ” Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Saying prayers can move mountains, Msgr. Bitoon reminded attendees of the gravity of the problems facing the country which he described as “beyond our power” to solve and exhorted all citizens to turn to God for help and guidance.

The Faithline Online Prayer Gathering on Zoom is a 7-day event which continues until August 21, 2025 and held at 9:00 PM Manila time. Faithline is ecumenical. Each session is about 1 hour long and follows a simple flow – opening song, Scripture reading, reflection, closing prayer and blessing, and closing song. Here is the link to the Zoom: https://bit.ly/Faithline

Oswald Magno

Day 2: August 16, 2025

WHEN CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IS JUSTIFIED

On Saturday, August 16, which is Day 2 of Faithline Online Prayer Gathering when prayer intentions were offered for Senators, Dr. Melba Maggay, founder and director of NGO Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture, discussed the biblical concept of civil disobedience. She argued that authorities should be obeyed only when they exercise power lawfully and justly, and that Christians have a duty to resist unjust rulers. She concluded that while submission to authority is important, it should not be confused with blind obedience, and that the Bible contains numerous examples of civil disobedience when laws are unjust. Dr. Maggay also addressed the challenges faced by democratic institutions, highlighting the need for Christians to actively participate in discerning and upholding God’s design for society while engaging in political processes.

The ecumenical Faithline Online Prayer Gathering carried on Zoom is a 7-day event which continues until August 21, 2025 and held at 9:00 PM Manila time. Each session is about 1 hour long and follows a simple flow – opening song, reading of prayer intentions, Scripture reading, reflection, closing prayer and blessing, and closing song. Here is the link to the Zoom for anyone who wishes to participate: https://bit.ly/Faithline

Atty. Rene Sarmiento, member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, gave the reflection on Sunday, August 17 (prayer intentions focused on Representatives). Francisco “Kiko” Aquino Dee will be giving the reflection on Monday, August 18 (prayer intentions focusing on National and Local Leaders).

Oswald Magno

Day 3: August 17, 2025

WALKING HUMBLY WITH GOD

On Sunday, August 17, which is Day 3 of Faithline’s Online Prayer Gathering when prayer intentions were offered for Congressmen, Atty. Rene Sarmiento, member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, delivered an inspiring reflection, speaking hopefully about the capacity of Filipinos to make positive changes, saying that nothing is impossible with God, spiritual leaders and people working together. He exhorted attendees and listeners to implore God for lawmakers to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

The ecumenical Faithline Online Prayer Gathering carried on Zoom is a 7-day event which continues until August 21, 2025 and held at 9:00 PM Manila time. Each session is about 1 hour long and follows a simple flow – opening song, reading of prayer intentions, Scripture reading, reflection, closing prayer and blessing, and closing song. Here is the link to the Zoom for anyone who wishes to participate: https://bit.ly/Faithline

Francisco “Kiko” Aquino Dee gave the reflection on Monday, August 18 (prayer intentions offered for National and Local Leaders).

On deck is Fr. Efren “Momoy” Borromeo, who will be delivering the reflection on the scripture reading on Tuesday, August 19, 9:00 PM Manila time.

View the past 4 days’ sessions: https://bit.ly/Faithline/Playlist

Oswald Magno

Day 4: August 18, 2025

STAND WITH FIRMNESS FOR WHAT IS RIGHT BUT ALSO WITH HUMILITY

On Monday, August 18 – Day 4 of Faithline’s Online Prayer Gathering – when prayer intentions were offered for National and Local Leaders, Francisco “Kiko” Aquino Dee, M.Sc., grandson of Sen. Ninoy Aquino Jr. and former Pres. Cory Aquino, delivered a sincere personal reflection, imparting his stance on the grave issues currently facing the country. Referring to Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, and reminding attendees and listeners that there are many sides to an issue, he stressed the need to always try to find the “right balance”. He added that as humans we are unable to divine God’s perfect will, and maintained that while citizens must stand firm with what they believe is right, they must try to understand the opposing sides and act with humility.

The ecumenical Faithline Online Prayer Gathering carried on Zoom is a 7-day event which continues until August 21, 2025 and held at 9:00 PM Manila time. Each session is about 1 hour long and follows a simple flow – opening song, reading of prayer intentions, Scripture reading, reflection, closing prayer and blessing, and closing song.

On Tuesday, August 18, Fr. Efren “Momoy” Borromeo, noted healing priest, gave the reflection in the prayer session that offered prayer intentions for VP Sara Duterte and associates. View the past sessions here: https://bit.ly/FaithlinePlaylist

On deck for Wednesday’s online prayer session is former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes “Meilou” Sereno, who will deliver the reflection on the Scripture reading. Here is the link to the Zoom for anyone who wishes to join the prayer gathering: https://bit.ly/Faithline 

Oswald Magno

Day 5: August 19, 2025

WE NEED A GOD-CENTERED GOVERNANCE

On Tuesday, August 19 – Day 5 of Faithline’s Online Ecumenical Prayer Gathering – when prayer intentions were offered for V.P Sara Duterte and associates, Rev. Fr. Efren “Momoy” Borromeo, SOLT, founder of Trinitas Integrated Healing Ministry, reflected on Matthew 12:33 about a good tree bearing good fruit and vice versa. He observed that both good and evil are within us all, and governance must be God-centered. He argued that without love, compassion and justice, corruption will subsist.

The ecumenical Faithline Online Prayer Gathering carried on Zoom is a 7-day event which continues until August 21, 2025 and held at 9:00 PM Manila time. Each session is about 1 hour long and follows a simple flow – opening song, reading of prayer intentions, Scripture reading, reflection, closing prayer and blessing, and closing song.

On Wednesday, August 20, former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes “Meilou” Sereno will share her reflection on the Scripture reading, with prayer intentions being offered for the Filipino people – especially the poor and marginalized – and the youth. Here is the link to the Zoom for anyone who wishes to join the prayer gathering: https://bit.ly/Faithline

Oswald Magno

Day 6: August 20, 2025

DO NOT LOSE HOPE. HISTORY SHOWS GOD FULFILLS HIS PROMISE.

On Wednesday, August 20 – Day 6 of Faithline’s Online Ecumenical Prayer Gathering – when prayer intentions were offered for the Filipino people especially the poor and the youth, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes “Meilou” Sereno, reflected on Isaiah 58 – 59 about God’s promise for people or nations to be like light in the darkness when their actions align with their faith and God’s commandments. She alluded to the dire situation in the country which challenges our faith, but exhorted attendees and listeners to not lose hope and only need to look to the many instances in history when men and women rose to shine like noonday – testaments to the fulfillment of God’s promise.

The ecumenical Faithline Online Prayer Gathering carried on Zoom is a 7-day event which continues until August 21, 2025 and held at 9:00 PM Manila time. Each session is about 1 hour long and follows a simple flow – opening song, reading of prayer intentions, Scripture reading, reflection, closing prayer and blessing, and closing song.

On Thursday, August 21, prayers will be offered for the country. Rev. Fr. Robert Reyes and Sr. Bambi Denoga will share their reflections on the Scripture reading. Here is the link to the Zoom for anyone who wishes to join the prayer gathering: https://bit.ly/Faithline

Past prayer sessions can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/FaithlinePlaylist

Oswald Magno

Day 7: August 21, 2025

LET US FIND CARDINAL SIN WITHIN US

On Thursday, August 21 – Day 7 of Faithline’s Online Ecumenical Prayer Gathering “Ayuno, Dasal, Sakripisyo Tungo sa Pagbabago”, Fr. Robert Reyes reflected on Jonah 3:3-10, and led prayers lifting the country and the Filipino people.

Harking back to the biblical story of God sparing the city of Nineveh from destruction as prophesied by prophet Jonah after the Ninevites turned back from their evil ways, Fr. Reyes exhorted listeners to become agents of transformation like Ninoy Aquino and Cardinal Sin – “to find Cardinal Sin within us and let the voice that God gave us to speak courageously and clearly especially at this time when most have chosen to be quiet.”

The 7-day ecumenical online prayer gathering will culminate in a Clergy for Good Governance-led interfaith people’s march marked by fasting and wearing of sack clothes on Friday, August 22, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM starting at the Senate, on to Malate Church and from Malate Church to the Supreme Court. The march will be followed by a vigil at the EDSA Shrine 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Oswald Magno