The African Forum on Religion and Government (AFReG) calls on all Christians to increase our prayers in this era of COVID-19. This week, Tuesday, June 30, 2020, our theme is

“Communality”

Scripture readings: Exodus 3:7-10, Joshua 1:1-9 and Judges 1:3

Communities need God-Inspired Leaders

When we read the Scriptures there is a principle that we see with God and His people in community. He was not only interested in delivering them from bondage, but also carrying them to a better place of existence. In the books of Exodus and Joshua, God appointed leaders to play a role in leading His people out of bondage, through difficult periods, into their promised land. Moses started the process with the children of Israel by delivering them from slavery and Joshua completed the task of carrying them into their inheritance. We see that under the leadership of God, His leaders did not just deliver the people from bondage, but carried them to a place of abundance.

This requires vision, courage and certain characteristics such as integrity, determination, and dedication to lead a people from whatever type of slavery they are in, whether physical, mental , social, economical or spiritual, through the difficult and challenging times of the wilderness into this place of abundance.

This principle of leadership of taking persons out of slavery into abundance is further confirmed in the work of Christ, that He did not only come to deliver us from the bondage of sin, but that we would have life and have it more abundantly, which includes Eternal Life, so that we might experience in the coming ages His immeasurable riches and kindness.

Living as a people and community will require that we Support one another

Judges 1:1-3, Joshua 1:12-15

In order for them to possess their inheritance, the tribe of Judah needed the support of their brethren. Judah asked who would go with them to help them secure their inheritance and Simeon volunteered. Then Judah said in turn, that his tribe would support Simeon in gaining possession of their inheritance also.

We saw this principle commanded by the Lord through Joshua to the tribes who had already come into their inheritance. They were commanded to fight alongside their brothers until their brothers had possessed their promised land as well.

If we are going to be a community, a nation, or a continent that is going to prosper there has to be the willingness to support one another. We cannot afford to be selfish and only seek after our own interests. If we do not support one another, we will cause delay and a lengthening of the time for us to be able to possess our own inheritance and come into abundance on all these levels. However, on the other hand, if we do support one other our achievements will be enormous.

We must take the same approach as portrayed in the books of Joshua and Judges for the continent of Africa to become a Premier Continent under God. The Lord Jesus sets the example, as one who did not seek His own interests but the interests of others, in the same way the body of Christ is encouraged to serve and minister to one another. That is the principle of Christ.

Indeed, Africa Shall Be Saved!

Prayer Points

Adoration

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! (Psalm 34:1)

Confession

Forgive us Lord –

Where we have not supported one another and looked out only for our own interests.

Where we have been content in our own comfort and not been burdened by others not having come into their own.

Where we have not carried a burden for the lost, the depraved, the downtrodden and the poor (Matthew 25).

Where we have not borne with one another in love and sought the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-6).

Where we have not walked in the light of God (humility, truth, love) and so forfeited fellowship with one another and the cleansing of our sins (1 John 1:7).

Thanksgiving

Thank you Lord –

For laying down Your life for us (John 15:13) so that we would be redeemed from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13).

For becoming our peace, and in Your flesh, breaking down every wall of hostility across every divide (Ephesians 2:14).

That You pray for us to be one, just as You and your Father are one, and we are one with You – a testimony to the world so that they may believe that You were sent by the Father.

For the blessing You command where brethren live together in unity! How good and pleasant it is!

For Your promise that where two or three are gathered in Your Name, You are there in their midst. And for the power of agreement – that if two of us agree on earth about anything we ask, it will be done for us by our Father in heaven.

Thank you for the opportunity to represent You through service to one another and the promised reward when we do – “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me in.” (Matthew 25)

Supplication  

Let us pray for all the leaders and the people of African Nations and its Diaspora,

1. For Vision for their nation and for the whole African continent.
2. For Courage and Character to not only lead the people out of the oppression that they have experienced, but also to carry them into their God-ordained destination of well-being and prosperity.
3. For Unity, Africans Rising Together among the various nation states, a collective support, each for the other, including those in the Diaspora, all playing their role, making skills and expertise, knowledge, and finances with dedication available to Africa and Africans.
4. For there to be Respect for every tribe and nation state in Africa and there to be a Willingness to Sacrifice for each other, so that every tribe and nation can become Strong and Prosperous.
5. For the African Church which includes those in the Diaspora, to lead in this approach and that the Church will play her salt and influential role in making this a reality, in building a great Africa under God.
6. For the advance of God’s Kingdom and the saving of the lost in every nation of Africa.

Focusing on Vision for a New Africa in this week’s Webinar on July 1, 2020, we pray for God’s anointing on our presenters Prof. Patrick Lumumba, Prof. Delanyo Adadevoh, Rev. Dr. Emily Obwaka and for Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi as he moderates the session. We pray for meaningful and life-impacting engagement that will help all those who participate and pray against any technology glitches, confusion of any kind and/or lethargy in follow-up.

We declare that we the African people in the continent and in the Diaspora stand as one people united in love and in the Spirit of God.

1. WE SEEK THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF THE HEAVEN IN ALL THE LANDS WE OCCUPY AND WE SHALL NOT REST UNTIL ALL HAVE COME TO THE FULL STATURE OF JESUS CHRIST.
2. WE HOLD EACH OTHER’S HANDS AND BELIEVE FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF THE GOD’S PROMISE TO US AS THE AFRICAN PEOPLE; THAT THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST AND THAT NOBLES SHALL COME FROM EGYPT; CUSH SHALL HASTEN TO STRETCH OUT HER HANDS TO GOD (PSALMS 68:31).
3. WE STAND UNITED IN PRAYER THAT GOD’S KINGDOM WOULD COME TO EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. THAT A CULTURE OF LOVE, CARE, RESPECT AND HONOR FOR ONE ANOTHER IS INFUSED IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS AFRICA AND IN THE DIASPORA.
4. WE ARE A LIGHT TO THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD, IN WORD AND DEED – TESTIFYING TO THE SAVING POWER OF JESUS CHRIST AND BEARING WITNESS TO HIS LOVE AND POWER IN OUR LIVES.