Our local church, so guided by the Holy Spirit, has embarked on a pilgrimage of intercession for our nation. “Pray for South Africa”. What that means in practice is that a significant portion of our Sunday morning services have been ceded to prayer. A few months in, and we’re learning to shun fear and stand in faith as we square up to the enormous challenges of the day. So far, so good!
The other Sunday morning I woke early with a single sentence running around on the inside: “Pray that the country doesn’t burn!” What a charge. And what to make of it? A threat of civil war? Anarchy? Perplexed, I made my way to the gathering.
Not many minutes in, Pat van der Zee took the congregational microphone and shared the following. Here is an edited version of her putting pen to paper …
“On Thursday evening we overnighted with our daughter and family. It was her birthday, and all four of our children with their families joined us for supper at a local restaurant. As we were leaving the restaurant we noticed a fire on the horizon in the direction of their homestead, and the journey home soon revealed that the farm was ablaze, with the homestead under threat.
Immediately, the decision to evacuate was taken. We tried to quickly pack a few things, but at times like that realise that the only thing of any importance is the saving of lives. As we left the homestead, we saw the lights of many vehicles driving up to the farm from the village to see if they could help. There was a great deal at stake, including a second homestead and several bed and breakfast rooms that are income-generating.
There seemed little hope, but then our prayers were answered, as the wind first changed direction, and then died down. The next morning we saw that the flames had stopped less than a hundred metres from the fence that surrounds the homestead. God is the God of the impossible, and this hopeless situation became a celebration of His love, faithfulness, grace and mercy.
We experienced such fear in the face of the fire, but the support of the community and the agreement in prayer by all concerned made such a difference. And over and above that, we call on a God who wills all to be saved, and who gave His Son for this purpose. It has made me realize so clearly the reality and urgency of the Gospel in our day.”
That testimony provided an extraordinary context of faith in which to “pray that the country doesn’t burn”. This we did, calling on the God of the impossible, who wills that none perish, but that all are saved.
Pray with us. Pray for South Africa. Pray for peace and prosperity. Pray for repentance and faith. Can a nation come to God, and substantially so? Of course it can! Can a nation escape from the threat of destruction and emerge humbled, believing, and pulsating with life in every sense? Of course it can. And our God wills it so!
God is indeed the God of the impossible. I, personally have experience this as a fact in my own experience over many decades of walking with Him. So I join with many others in praying that South Africa will not burn, but instead will prosper under His almighty hand of love and grace. “Where the word of a king is there is power.” As kings and priests unto our God, let us use our words to change our land and circumstances, declaring boldly the fruition of the purposes of God for us all in this beloved country of ours.
I too join in the prayer for South Africa, that the Lord God Almighty will show Himself strong against all the threats that we are facing. I pray that we will have peace in these trying times as we are Battling the devastating effects of xenephobia, I pray that God’s grace and peace will abound us.”Nkosi Sikelela iAfrika” in Jesus name we are more than conquerors over all the plans of the devil. Nothing is impossible for Jehova in Jesus Christ. Amen
I have spent time praying for individual people but God has stirred me to now include countries. South Africa was my home for 60 years so it comes first and formost on my list as I understand the many challenges facing its peoples. I have washed the feet of the people in the church but NEVER asked for forgiveness for the benifits I accepted from the rule of Apartheid.