(Photo: Juanita Badenhorst)
“Listen, my God! Hear us! See indeed our desolation, and that of the city over which your name is called. We plead with you for mercy, not because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” – Daniel 9:18 (AFR83)
I recently read an article that asks why people find it uncomfortable to participate in protest actions, such as the ones we have become accustomed to in South Africa.
When I watch the marchers I see very few people there who form part of “our frame of reference”.
Whether protest actions actually have the desired effect is a matter I do not want to debate here.
There are also other forms of protest. The social media, letters to newspapers, debates that are conducted and other forms of interaction of which I am convinced that there is simply a lot taking place, are likewise a form of protest.
Today, however, I want to refer to the strongest protest action, the strongest protest tool that Christians have and invite you to use it with opinion and conviction. I am obviously referring to prayer.
When you read the Bible, you see how the people poured out their hearts before God. Without fear of rejection, they expressed their discomfort with the status quo and came before the throne of grace in dependence. The Psalms are the one book where people with broken hearts talk to God about their brokenness and ask that He will act on their behalf.
I am of the conviction that both are necessary and have merit, but if one has to choose, choose a life of intercession and prayer.
Remind yourself of the many promises there are in the Word and how they relate to your life as an individual, but also to the lives of people who share a space with you.
However, when we get up from our knees, the thought is that we will continue to cooperate in a pro-active manner so that the things that are wrong can be changed.
Who knows, next time a protest action is launched that you can identify with, you might turn up too.
South Africa is our collective responsibility and unless we make our voices heard, the country could slip through our fingers.
This is where the Kingdom of God must take shape.
It’s hard work.
It is the work of faith and of believers.
Therefore, pray and do, do and pray.
- ToekomsVenster is a daily message to equip individual believers with practical faith skills. Small group accompaniments, DVDs and functional sermon sketches are available from Drienie ([email protected]) or visit www.toekomsvenster.co.za
