This Prayer was originally written in 1994 (before South Africa's first "Democratic" election. I have updated it slightly (today - 4am!) and am sharing it with a view to helping (in some small way) create global awareness of the current desperate plight of South Africa's northern neighbour, Zimbabwe. This piece (as with all my articles) may be freely published (and prayed)... and 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 and most importantly, Zimbabwe...Somalia, and Darfur in Sudan)
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 of such contrasts. 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 thoughts of goodwill, righteousness, justice, acceptance and respect for others. 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.
God, instill in us especially a generous spirit of forgiveness and hope for the future.
May we play our parts, all of us, in the healing and the furtherance of our diverse country; so that South Africa will one day fulfill its immense potential, a promise yet to be fulfilled. To do the very best within our abilities in developing "the Beloved Country" socially, politically, economically and spiritually...in a spirit of acceptane, co-operation, reconciliation and peace - each and every one of us.
Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in this immeasurable spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and most importantly, hope and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision - to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become.
*
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, Your children. May this nation be forgiven its transgressions against its fellow citizens of all races and creeds and any and all others… so that we as a nation can move forward in harmony and prosperity.
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 country of such contrasts be fulfilled...at long last.
The greatest resource in any nation is its citizens; so may the beauty and greatness of this rich, diverse and vibrant 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 with thoughts of goodwill, honesty, integrity, excellence, and peace with our neighbours in a bright new dawn.
Because the human condition has far more in common, than our cultural, ethnic and racial differences, 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, tolerance of differences, freedom, justice, righteousness, peace 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, the Ultimate Source of Life's immeasurable Mercy, Infinite Grace and Love upon each one of us.
Dear God, please, please ignite in our hearts, in the depths of our souls the spark of Your Light, the Spirit of Truth and Love. May our newborn nation be given a new light: one of justice and rightiousness that will be seared into our hearts, the sacred fire of freedom, democracy, the spirit of reconciliation and Your immeasurable forgiveness for past transgressions: So that the flame of 'ubuntu', this generosity of spirit burns brightly in the heart of all New South Africans. A new light of Love 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, the Divine. In our lives may the "Rainbow Children of the Beloved Country" manifest the Infinite Glory of God, that lies within each and every one of us.
Dear God, please mightily bless South Africa, Southern Africa, Africa ...and ALL the citizens of the world.
Amen
Craig Lock (1994)
P.S: These days please pray especially for all the citizens of South Africa's neigbour, the "blighted" Southern African nation of Zimbabwe, as well as the poor persecuted citizens of Darfur in Sudan and in Somalia.
"Lest we forget!"
craig (updated July 2009)
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 many moons back" in 1994 ("names-dropping" again there, craig!). This icon of reconcilation and magnanimity has and will remain a great inspiration to me in my writing... for his integrity, immense 'nobility and generosity of spirit'. Thank you sincerely, "Madiba".
*
"Our Greatest Good is perhaps not to achieve wealth and share our material possessions, our money and 'riches' with others, but through encouragement and faith in other people, to lay the firm foundation of revealing the rich treasure that lies within themselves."
"God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into the world with a different collection of life circumstances that often severely challenge us, things that give us joy and in expressing our talents allow us to bless the people, the world around us."
"There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite passion, mystery and even the occasional miracle in the magical journey of life."
- craig
"Change your thoughts and you help change THE world.
Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let's encourage, impact, uplift and perhaps even inspire the world."
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
(and especially PRAYED, as never underestimate the incredible power of prayer to change anything in life).
"Blessed are the Peace-Makers... because they'll accumulate plenty of Frequent Flyer points."
Craig will always love his former (but still "beloved") country of South Africa, but also his very different "new home" of New Zealand, as well as writing... but then what other job would be suitable for him?
Craig's novels on South Africa that he "felt inspired to write", 'The End of the Line', 'The New Rainbow' and 'Over the Rainbow' are available at:
www.lulu.com/craiglock creativekiwis.com/books.html#craig and webng.com/writernz/index.html
Craig is presently working on his latest novel 'The Awakened Spirit', based on some true and inspiring stories of the indomitable human spirit, that lies within each one of us, told against the backdrop of a troubled and exciting continent.