Pray for God to Be Glorified in Our Land
So what do we pray when we pray for our country?
In South Africa, we've got a great national anthem that actually gives us some words to help. Now it starts with some words in isiXhosa: Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika, Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo, which means, "God bless Africa and raise her high in glory," or, "May her glory be lifted high."
Can I encourage you to pray that prayer?
Praying for God's Blessing on Our Nation
Now that second line, which says, "let Africa's glory be lifted high", is perhaps not quite right, because we live not to glorify ourselves; we live to glorify God. Our prayer should not be, "Glorify our country." It should be, "God, be glorified in our country."
And so maybe that can be your prayer today as you're praying for your nation. “God bless our nation. Lord, take care of our nation and be lifted high in our nation.”
Seeking God's Glory Above All Else
As I said yesterday, we should be praying for our leaders, and we should be praying that God brings leaders into power who will put God first and lift God high in this country.
If we really want God to bless Africa, as our song says, we need to pray for His glory to be first in our country.
And so I hope that that will be your prayer today. Lord, bless Africa and let Your glory, Lord, shine through our nation.
It's only when God's glory is the glory of any nation that that nation will stand firm. And so may it be that that will be our prayer today.
The early church included gifted women who taught, prophesied, and led - a reminder that God calls and equips all His people to lead others toward Christ. Step up today in whatever sphere of influence God has given you.