My time has ended in South Africa, but part of my heart is still there. As I continue to pray for the country I wanted to invite you to join me.
I remember at the beginning of our second month in South Africa my squad and I were briefed about the culture and history of the country. Afterwards, we wanted to pray not a quick 15 minute prayer that we did because it was the right thing to do but an all in, soul bearing intercession for our home and the people we had committed to love. I wanted to share some of what we prayed and I want you to join in. Before you read this I want to challenge you to get in a space where you can declare this and verbally cry out to the Lord on behalf of this country. Maybe turn on some music and let the words be apart of your prayer, maybe get a trusted group of brothers and sisters together and commit to spend at least an hour in deep communication with the Lord. Whatever it is that you do be all in with what you are prayer. Prayers have power and although you are half way across the world you can be apart of what God is doing.
I wanted to share the structure in which we prayed: (You can do it this way or not. It’s your choice.)
- Start with praise
- Wait expectantly in his presence
- Confession
- Use scripture
- Pray for something specific
- Enter into a time of intercession (declaring truth and fighting on behalf of others)
- Petition
- Singing
- Thanksgiving
- Meditation
- Listening (ask and receive)
- End with praise
Here is a prayer our Squad Leader gave us specifically for the lost. Some of the prayers are hard to pray and heartbreaking to speak over anyone but sometimes people need to be torn down and brought to the lowest point to see the only place they can look is up and then God can begin to rebuild.
Who
- ask the lord that the lost would be confronted with trust
- they would know the truth about social, philosophical, and political lies
What
- There would be an regency for what their purpose is
When
- use their lack of freedom to draw them to yourself
Why
- Question why leaders reject reconciliation and peace of the country
How
- Plant hopelessness in their hearts so they know how much they need deliverance
Where
- Make them under their eternal destination
Here are some things you can specifically pray for about the country:
- The government is corrupt.
- There is still racism
- Squatter camps of Xhosa people
- No education really exists
- Not safe for women or children especially in big cities
- Unjust justice system
- It is hard to get jobs (specifically for white people since they are minority)
- Pray for peace and equality
- There is a huge division between the rich and poor people
- There is still lots of violence
- Farmers are being killed
This has been my prayer:
Lord, you see the brokenness and hurt that fills this country. Thank you that you hear and accept the cry of your people. You are not a dead God but one who fights for his children. We have already won the war. It is not against flesh and blood but the devil. Hallelujah we know he has no power. I pray freedom and peace over South Africa in Jesus name. I pray for a selfless government, a uniting of blacks and whites and rich and poor. I pray for strong education, a safe and encouraging community, a just justice system, and complete and whole laws according to the your laws. I pray for a new government that sees you and follows you. I pray for hopelessness, so they see the hope that comes from you alone. I pray for reconciliation and true freedom in your name. Deliver them from their brokenness. Thank you Jesus for loving them. Thank you for what you have already done
Psalm 6:6-10
