Pray for Protection
So we get into the Sesotho part of our national anthem, Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho, O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, Setjhaba sa South Africa -which means “God protect our nation, end all wars and tribulations and troubles and conflicts.” In fact, the one translation that I found said “intervene and end all conflicts and then protect us, protect our nation, protect SA”.
Protect us Lord. That's a great prayer to be praying as we intercede for our nations. Protect us, Lord, come and intervene. Come and end the conflicts and protect us.
Praying for Protection Over Our Nation
This reminds me of the words in the Lord's Prayer: Give us as our nation our daily bread. Let the poor in this country be cared for. Forgive us our trespasses as a country, Lord. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil here in our land. Similar words to those words are in our national anthem.
Here are some words from Stormy Omartian in her book, The Power of a Praying Nation. She says, “the power of evil in our land today threatens our safety, peace, and freedom. But God still leads us in. His power is always greater. Our world may be shaken, but the Kingdom of God is not. We are moving into a new time. And just as when our land was first settled, there are sacrifices that need to be made. But with the leading of the Lord and the prayers of the believers, we can make them. So she says, let's serve the Lord as soldiers of His praying army. Now more than ever, we need to heed God's call for prayer.”
Praying With Purpose and Consistency
And so I want to encourage you again today to pray, to pray for protection for this land. But as we do this, let's remember that Jesus called us to pray for our enemies. “Love your enemies,” He said, “bless those who persecute you. Pray for those who spitefully use you.” Matthew 5:44.
When we pray for protection, let's pray for those who don't know God to come to know God. Let's pray for a mighty outpouring of God's Spirit in this land so that more people will know. The good news will be transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ, and will turn from their evil ways.
Our friends, our prayers can really do much if we just pray purposefully and pray consistently and pray for things that matter. And so may it be that these words of our national anthem inspire us today to pray for God's protection and to pray for His Spirit to change hearts in this land.
Pentecost has deep roots in the Old Testament harvest festival, and finds its fulfilment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Pray this week for a fresh harvest of souls in your local church this Sunday.