Pray for Your Country
South Africa has just been through a really difficult week. There's been a whole lot of unrest. More than 200 have died, communities have been destroyed by looting and arson, and many people are wondering how long it's going to take our country to recover. There's also some fear that it's going to carry on this week.
And so I wanted to speak in our devotions this week about praying for our country.
Why Christians Should Pray for Their Nation
Stormie Omartian has written a great book called The Power of a Praying Nation, and I like what she said. On page 16, she said, “In addition to specific prayers in moments of great need, there are also prayers we can pray on a regular basis that will cover our nation and help us to become the intercessors God is calling us to be.
And if we join together in these prayers, we can become a powerful praying nation.”
Now, she wrote this in an American context after 9/11, and she said:
“Today there is a hole in the heart of our nation that only God can fill. We have a pain in our souls that only God can heal. Our country is weighed down with a burden of grief that only God can carry.
He wants to do all that and more, but it can only happen if we turn to Him with a humble and pure heart. Seek His face and His ways and pray like never before.”
So let me ask you, are you praying for your country?
The Power of Intercession for Those in Authority
In 1 Timothy 2, Paul said to the early church, “I urge that petitions and prayers and intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings, and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives.”
I want to urge us in a similar way, to be praying for our country so that we can also live peaceful and quiet lives. Whether you know wherever you live, be a person who prays for God's blessing and protection on your country. And I know that those prayers, when prayed in faith, will avail much.
Even the hardest hearts can be opened - but it takes persistent, faithful prayer. Commit today to pray for the unbelievers and resisters in your life.