National Day of Prayer -- Dec 8, 2013

December 8, 2013 -- All over South Africa  worshipers celebrated a National Day of Prayer and reflection. We attended worship services at the Seeiso Street Church of Christ in Atteridgeville.  This one of the townships west of Pretoria. We were worshiping with our host family and friends from our earlier stay in South Africa. I was honored to be the guest speaker.  

My reflections on this occasion were focused on three elements:

A Time to Remember... Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1. A time to remember Madiba and the legacy he left for us all... a new hope, a new nation, and a new future. We all have special memories of what he means to us.
2. A time to remember the believers who endured oppression hatred, and Apartheid because of God's promise to "... prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
   What I remember most was the question we were asked by nearly every South African we met during the days of transition, "How do you like OUR new South Africa?"
3. A time to remember our creator. "Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them' -- ...and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.' Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

On this National Day of Prayer, the leaders of the nation joined worshipers everywhere in prayers of thanksgiving and hope for a brighter future.  Among the songs that were sung was "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" ("Lord Bless Africa" in Xhosa), which is now a part of the South Africa National Anthem.

God bless South Africa.