The National Day of Prayer and Fasting in South Sudan: Verses, time, and date
11 min readBible Verses for revival, repentance, and restoration: 2 Chronicle 7:14, Isa 30:26, Jer 33:6, and Mal 4:2 for national day of prayers in all over country.
By David Matiop Gai, Juba, South Sudan
March 4, 2017 (SSB) — 2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version (NIV) , “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. A Biblical verse for revival and nation repentance or change of will and action toward God as way for peace, South Sudanese are lucky to have leaders who fear God.
Isa 30:26, read, “The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted”
Jer 33:6, “‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security”
Mal 4:2, “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves”
Introduction.
One of the best ever statement made by H.E. the President of the Republic of South Sudan Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit. South Sudan had been destroyed throughout decades and by evil forces for centuries but now the power of God is declared, all demons, and evil powers who were sacking blood of our people for decades will be drives out by Supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, and all agents of devil will have no room of messing up South Sudan again, because the power of God will overshadows to work throughout on every South Sudanese behaviours, and we will be God’s fearers instead; thank God, Oh God bless South Sudan.
The Biblical verse 2 Chronicle 7:14, the time of 7:00 AM-6:00 PM South Sudanese local time, and date 10th of March 2017 are all starting point of initiating God prayers and it will be a routine cerebration of very year and the new year beginning in lives of our people while it had also made a significantly spiritual liberty on the entire nation in term of healing in South Sudan. Any South Sudanese who suggested this positive step need blessings to inspire more national agendas of the nation for the sake of nationhood.
South Sudan is a very unique nation in the world and if we follow number of miracles God did in South Sudan, one may recall that the war and continues conflicts are parts of punishment because one time South Sudanese decided during negotiation of CPA in 2002-2005 that our Country backslide as a secular country, but restoration of spiritual revival will help it so much to bind the wounds because things to do with God are not strength of the flesh, and blood, but they are spiritual miracles of God power in lives of either disobediences, and obedience alike.
Therefore, before national day of prayer, I want to briefly discuss the important history of national day of prayer, President Kiir has lays foundation for house of prayer, national day of prayer for ministries, the secret to powerful prayer-how we receive miracles of God, God will change your life, national day of prayer task force, national day of prayer in picture of south Sudan, pray as one people, one nation and conclusion.
The history of national day of prayer.
The National Day of Prayer (36 U.S.C. § 119)[1] is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation”. Each year since its inception, the president has signed a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.[2], The modern law formalizing its annual observance was enacted in 1952, although earlier days of fasting and prayer had been established by the Second Continental Congress from 1775 until 1783, and by President John Adams in 1798 and 1799. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org.
When Israel sins against God, they turn to God in prayers and fasting as a tool of revival because God love those who repent or those who turn away against their sins and call them his friends. Parents were expected to repeat the stories of deliverance to their children (Ex. 12:24-27; Deut. 6:4-9; Isa. 38:19): “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works” (Ps. 145:4, 5). The account of God’s goodness was to be passed on from each generation to the next. “Tell your children and grandchildren” (Ex. 10:2) is God’s crucial instruction.
Many nations acknowledge God first in their affairs. In America, you hear leaders saying God bless America. In Uganda, they said for God and my country and many other countries allow God blessings on their lives as well as things under their authority. In South Sudan National Anthem during Independence Day in July 2011, it begins with God, “Oh God! We praise and glorify you; for your grace on South Sudan”…… at the end, “Oh God, bless south Sudan”, but they don’t mean it from the bottom of their hearts. The national anthem itself signify South Sudan as a dedicated or devoted country to respect God more than materials but people denying it totally as secular country. This is a big problem because things of God are not copy and paste; things of God are believe, done, and accelerated by faith.
President Kiir has lays strong foundation for house of prayer to be follow by generations of leaders in South Sudan.
Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:47-49, “therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” John 13:35, “by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Ephesians 2:10, “for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”
Isaiah 66:1-2, Judgement and hope of South Sudan, “This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word”.
National day of prayer for ministries in South Sudan.
Both spiritual ministries and secular ministries are goal-serving humanity in the love of God. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. All the ministries in government or churches will help themselves on spiritual invisible blessings and materials.
The secret to powerful prayer- how to receive God’s miracles.
I have learnt the secret to powerful prayer for almost thirty years in the Church ministry. A friend of mine from America told me that the secret of American popularity, superpower, speedy in technology, knowledge, and unity lied in the Holy scripture of Genesis Chapter 12:1-3, about the three promises of God to Abram 2000-1900 BC, and with this regards, American people respect Israelites the seeds of Abraham by all means whether politically, culturally, historically, socially, or diplomatically.
He said, it is believed that the scripture that say, “I will bless those who you, and curse those who curse you”, is the secret of America blessings; they don’t attempt to talk against Israel. Again, the secret to power of prayer trusted in Christ; we do receive miracles of God by faith, and through faith in Jesus Christ. Psalm 107:28-30 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 21:22 “and whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. John 14:13-14 whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it”
God will change your life.
2 Peter 1:3. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness”. Since South Sudanese need peace, unity, blessings of God, healing and forgiveness, God can change your life through his divine power. Help me God change my life program, and relieve me from mental, physical and evil disability that blocks my blessings as a nation to prosper from you-Amen. This is a crucial and important prayer because God bring rain and air for breathing, a terrible thing if God stop air for two minutes, even those who are God will start praying immediately, how wonderful it is?
National day of prayer task force.
From today when the head of state announced national day of prayer; automatically there must be South Sudanese prayer task force: A group of evangelical Christian conservative. I am a prayer warrior and these Christians fighting soldiers should take up issues of South Sudan since they are fitting to resists and help others in spiritual warfare. 1 Timothy 2:1 “ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;” Romans 8:26 “ Likewise the Spirit also helped our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered”
The national day of prayer in picture of South Sudan.
The real picture of national day of prayer in South Sudan is the most beautiful reality of Christ Jesus picture in lives of all South Sudanese people and the most beautiful is to know God is real, experience his unfailing love and leave harmoniously with neighbours in peace, forgiveness, unity, and kindness as a nation. Jesus picture in South Sudan national day of prayer help us to understand that Jesus Christ is the One who gives us true peace and joy, and who turns our darkness into bright light. ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ (John 8:12).
Jesus picture gives us joy, ‘for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus picture stands at our doors or our hearts. ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ (Revelation 3:20), and finally Jesus the future is not dark and gloomy, but incredibly bright and full of hope! Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.’ (Isaiah 9:7).
Pray as one people, one nation.
On March 10, 2017, all South Sudanese are requested by the president to turn to God and repent. The source of God success is unity. Unity started with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They bond together in unity. Therefore, South Sudanese in the country and in diaspora should turn to God in prayer in one spirit, the spirit of repentance because the power of God for change is not tested, or it is not attempt or put to test. “If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.” (John 8:36; “If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.” (Luke 19:32-33; NIV) Have south Sudanese acknowledge God publicly in the eye of whole world?
In conclusion “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12; NKJV) Once more God bless south Sudan, a nation whose God is the Lord is blessed, and I believe in year to come, national day of prayer will make South Sudan miraculously great among the nations, and the shame of now will be expel out by Grace of God. Oh God bless South Sudan.
The author is a co-founder of South Sudan Mental Health care Organization, (SSMHCO). He holds Bachelor degree in Social Work and Social Administration from SSCUST, Bachelor of Theology from CLT, Bungoma, Kenya/Kalispell, USA, and a fellow researcher. He can be reach at david.matiopgai@gmail.com.
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