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| Category: Spiritual Experiences |
Date published: June 8, 2005 |
Article Title: Prayer for South Africa (and especially Southern Africa) Author Craig Lock Web Sites: http://www.craiglock.com and http://www.bridgeniche.com
Publishing Guidelines: This Prayer was originally written in 1994 (before South Africa's first "Democratic" election. I am sharing it with a view to helping create global awareness of the current desperate plight of South Africa's northern neighbour, Zimbabwe. This prayer may be freely published (and prayed). If these writings make a difference in people's lives by encouraging or bringing some joy in an often very dark world, then I'm very happy. * Prayer for South Africa (and especially Southern Africa- Zimbabwe)
by Craig Lock
We join in prayer to celebrate this new nation and surrender its destiny to you. We give thanks in our hearts to the founding of this vibrant nation of diverse peoples, a beautiful yet tragic land built upon the rivers of blood, that flowed from our forefathers; yet still flow today...a happy sad land. We give thanks for and bless the souls of those, who came before us and prepared this nation, to nurture and to save it; because so many gave their lives for it, some selflessly and many needlessly.
We ask that God's Holy Spirit now fill the hearts of all this great nation's citizens with a spirit of forgiveness, righteousness, justice, tolerance, respect for others; but especially in a generous spirit of love and hope for the future. In this may we be cleansed of all destructive thoughts. May judgement of others, bigotry, racism and intolerance be washed clean from our hearts, like the blood of our forefathers.
May we play our parts, all of us, in the healing and the furtherance of our diverse country; so that it will one day fulfill its immense potential, a promise yet to be fulfilled. To do the very best within our abilities in developing it socially, politically, economically and spiritually...in a spirit of co-operation, reconciliation and peace - each and every one of us.
Dear Almighty God, you are all-powerful and omnipresent. You hold each one of us in the palms of your mighty hands. May our minds be filled with the thoughts of you; Your unconditional love and Your acceptance of all Your people, His children. May this nation be forgiven its transgressions against its fellow citizens of all races and creeds and any and all others.
May our lives be turned to instruments of resurrection and reconciliation, to reach out and bring all our peoples together, that the sins of our fathers might be reversed through us, His children. Let us forgive, even if we can never forget. May the rich promises of this beautiful land be fulfilled...at long last.
The greatest resource in any nation is its citizens; so may the beauty and greatness of this land burst forth in the hearts of all it's people. Out of the mistakes and tragedy of the past, may the dreams of our forefathers be realised in us; so that we might live in peace, honesty, integrity and excellence with our neighbours.
May this country become a light at the top of the hill unto all the nations of this world (but especially in the "dark" neglected continent of Africa): so that our country will be a beacon of goodness and peace and freedom and especially hope. May violence and darkness be cast out of our midst. May hatred no longer find fertile ground in which to grow here. May all of us feel God's mercy, grace and love upon us.
Dear God, please, please ignite in our hearts Your light, the spirit of truth. Especially may our newborn nation be given a new light: the sacred fire of freedom, democracy, the spirit of reconciliation and Your forgiveness for past transgressions. A new light that will shine so brightly right across this vast land as a beacon of hope for the future - from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, from the Limpopo in the north to the Cape of Storms at the southern tip of Africa. May we be forgiven - each one of us. May our children be blessed. May we be renewed. May each one of us be filled with the spirit of the Almighty. In our lives may each one of us make manifest the glory of God that is in every one of us.
Dear God, please bless South Africa.
Amen
Craig Lock (1994) http://www.craiglockbooks.com http://www.craiglock.com
P.S: These days please pray especially for all the people of South Africa's neigbour, the "blighted" Southern African nation of Zimbabwe.
Craig May 2005
Author's Note: This prayer was originally based on the most inspirational 'Prayer for America' by Marianne Williamson (www.marianne.com). Incidentally, I received a most appreciative and gracious message from former South African President, Nelson Mandela for sharing these thoughts with him "many moons back" in 1994. This icon of reconciation and magnanimity has and will remain a great inspiration to me in my writing for 'Madiba's' immense 'generosity of spirit'.
Craig's novels on Southern Africa are available at: http://www.craiglock.com/books.html and http://www.bridgeniche.com
Uplifting, encouraging and empowering people through the power of words and thought energy. Change YOUR world and you change THE world."
THIS PRAYER MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
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