My prayer, The Bible and Our Politicians

I conclude my holiday series today with a revisit to the Holy Bible and what it says about Politics and Leadership. I had had time in Durban and Port Elizabeth to read widely, relax and listen and watch news on South African, Zimbabwe and follow abit on Malawi politics.

The truth is that amazingly, almost leaders in the countries that I have had focus on all go to Church and Mosque to pray.

Today in conclusion I offer my prayers to God to reach out to the hearts of our leaders, let greed and lust for power be replaced by the will to serve and save humanity.

I pray for the elections in South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique and the safe return to democracy for the people of Zimbabwe. I pray for the victims of cholera who can not get even safe water in Harare, Beitbridge and now Gweru.

I pray that Robert Mugabe will have the power of Holy Spirit in him to realise that the suffering and the cries of people of Zimbabwe is the cry of God. He needs to soul search his decisions and honestly evaluate if they are compatible with what God wants for his children.

I pray that my President Bingu wa Mutharika finds it in his heart not to open a new waves of arrest in the name of leaked letters by targetting politicians and the media which will only add tensions to a high political temperature that exists when we are going towards elections.

I pray that Dr. Bakili Muluzi will find it courageous enough to do Gods will than personal gratification by accepting that God gave him a chance and it is more holy to allow others to lead than stick around until you are depost.

I pray for the whole African leadership to wake up and pay attention to the Holy Bible and the Holy Koran, that the voice of the people, is the voice of God.

Here are some of the great chapters: Starting with the Book of Psalms,

Psalms 119 is about the Oath of Office our President swore to uphold:

105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
113I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Proverbs 28 talks of Rulers:

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2When a land rebels it has many rulers;but with an intelligent ruler there is lasting order.*

3A ruler* who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. 4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law struggle against them.

5The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

6Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.

9When one will not listen to the law, even one’s prayers are an abomination.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.

15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor; but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.

18One who walks in integrity will be safe, but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.* 1

20The faithful will abound with blessings, but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.

25The greedy person stirs up strife, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.

26Those who trust in their own wits are fools; but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.

27Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.

28When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding; but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Proverbs 29:

12If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked

14If a king judges the poor with equity, his throne will be established for ever

James 1
2 My brothers and sisters,* whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. 6But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; 7, 8for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 9 -->
Poverty and Riches
9 Let the believer* who is lowly boast in being raised up, 10and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. 11For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away. 12 -->
Trial and Temptation
12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord* has promised to those who love him. 13No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. 14But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; 15then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. 16Do not be deceived, my beloved.*
17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.* 18In fulfilment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 19 -->
Hearing and Doing the Word
19 You must understand this, my beloved:* let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves* in a mirror; 24for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.
26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

For my prayer, read more in Ezekiels, Mathews and the book of HEBREWS.

God Bless Africa