adminweeks have made me reflect and meditate on how a nation’s prayer life impacts its destiny.
On January 22, Sierra Leoneans ended a week-long fasting and prayer session called upon by their president Ernest Koroma.
During a service to mark the end of the fasting and prayer, president Koroma told congregants at a service in the capital Freetown that Sierra Leone’s first fifty years of nationhood (1961 to 2011) was one of “mixed blessings”.
He cautiously added, “Maybe, we didn’t adequately prepare for it. We are learning from the mistakes of the past. 2012 will be the first year of our next fifty years journey. We must not take a wrong step in the first year of this journey”.
In true prophetic fashion, president Koroma also said the ‘Transformation Conference’ that was held on January 30, would help “map the way forward” so that Sierra Leone moves from being a “low income country into a middle income country in 25 years” and, at the end of the mapped next fifty years, Sierra Leone would become a “donor nation”.
Then, a fortnight ago, Nigerian Prophet T B Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations caused a stir (in media circles at least) when he prophesied about the impending death of an African president.
He did not give the name or the country, but if the media reports read so far are how we respond to prophecy (the Word of God), then the Lord help us. If the Spirit of discernment is the guiding principle, then Africa’s one billion people would know that this was not a moment for finger-pointing and in some cases, of glee, but a moment to turn to the Lord; a time for prayer and supplication for our leaders and our nation states: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour”. (1 Timothy 2:1-3, NIV)
Was this the first time a prophet was giving such grim news? No, because the prophetic means that as God’s vessel, the prophet says what He has instructed him/her to tell an individual and/or a nation.
In the Bible, prophet Isaiah was a bearer of such “bad” news when he had to tell king Hezekiah who had fallen ill and was at the point of death, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order because you are going to die; you will not recover.” (Isaiah 38:1)
If Hezekiah had responded the way we have done in the media, he surely would have died.
But, “he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord: ‘Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes’. And, Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, “Go and tell Hezekiah, This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria . . .” (Isaiah 38:2-6).
In the same vein, not only should our leaders turn their faces to the wall in faithful prayer and weeping, but the people they lead should also do the same with the knowledge and understanding that the God we serve through Jesus Christ can reverse any event because of their faithful prayers.
The prophet Jonah is another example. God sent him to the great city of Nineveh to proclaim His message: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned”.
The Ninevites did not start a holier than thou campaign, but the Bible says, “The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.” (Jonah 3:1-5)
Their king had to follow the trend set by the people: ” . . . he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself in sackcloth and sat down in the dust” and also signed an executive order that made humans and beasts fast for forty days.
God rewarded the Ninevites’ obedience and repentance by not bringing upon the destruction He had threatened them with. Every prophetic message is a call to action, a call to self-introspection, repentance and putting one’s faith and trust in the Lord.
Let all of us therefore stand in the gap for our leaders. Let us create prayer walls everywhere, including the Internet where we will share prayers and encourage each other to pray more for them always.
They should stay covered in our prayers. I came across one such prayer wall: The Presidential Prayer Team Prayer Wall (http://www.presidentialprayerteam.com).
The Lord Jesus was an epitome of a prayerful life.
Emphasising on the importance of prayer, Rev Lucy Natasha of the Prophetic Latter Glory Ministries from Kenya in her book ‘Touching Heaven Through Prayer” says, “Prayer is a sin killer, a power bringer, a victory giver, a holiness promoter, a dispute solver, an obstacle remover and Christ revealer. It is the voice of faith. God’s promises are idle until men claim them by earnest prayers; and that, you see more on your knees than on your feet”.
So many times we have sung: “If you believe and I believe, that Zimbabwe will be saved . . . The Holy Spirit will come down, and Zimbabwe will be saved…” We can do it for Zimbabwe and Africa.
Forthcoming events
Event: Ambassador for Christ International – Silver Jubilee Deeper Life Leaders’ Seminars
Date: February 16-19: Pastors’ Seminar; February 23-26: Elders and deacons Seminar
Venue: Feathers Hotel, Mabelreign; Kuwadzana Redemption Centre
Theme: Deutronomy 1:6-7
Hosts: Apostle A K K and Amai Elizabeth Sande
Contact: 0772405023/0772938-880/0775137422
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Event: One Night Stand Conference (for singles and young couples)
Date: February 24
Time: 6pm
Venue: East End Hall, Harare Showgrounds
Theme: One Night Only!!!!;When You Wake Up We Will Be Gone
Hosts: Prophet Uebert and Prophetess Beverly Angel, Spirit Embassy
Contact : 0779548825/0774389281/0772 295167
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Event: Public Seminar – Hatfield Worship Centre
Date: February 25
Time: 1:30-5pm
Venue: Hatfield Worship Centre, Cnr Elgin/Kilwinning Rd, Hatfield
Theme: How to Love your Husband
Host/Speaker: Rev C Chidimuro
Contact 0773 296 818/0772 674 850; [email protected]
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Event: Building Families Fun Day – His Image Ministries International
Date: February 26
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: His Image Ministries International Church (adjacent to Tynwald Primary School)
Host: Apostle Pilot Mudavanhu
Contact : 0772-863-487
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Event: The Higher Life Conference – Christ Embassy
Date: March 16-18
Time: 5pm
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, South Africa
Host/Speaker: Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Contact: www.higherlifecapetown.com
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Event: Easter Conference – Mabasa Ezviratidzo Apostolic Church
Dates: April 22-29
Venue: Goneso, Wedza
Speaker: Bishop Colin Matiza
Contact: 0772958814/0733230868/055-68280
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7, NIV)
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