Bless the Nation 50 Days of Prayer: Day 29

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Video Clip Link

Click on the following link to watch the video clip of today’s devotional:

https://youtu.be/ATeYTrP81jY

Text Version of Video Clip

Introduction:

Welcome to Day 29 of the ‘Bless the Nation 50 Days of Prayer.’ Today marks the start of the 5th week of the 50 Days of Prayer where the focus now shifts to ‘Media & Sport.’ As an author, and through his involvement with Transformation Christian Network and Gateway News, Pastor Afrika Mhlophe has first-hand knowledge of the powerful impact of media on our society. Afrika, who is also the Pastor of Good News Community Church in PE, uses the example of the impact of the report of the two spies as opposed to the ten spies from Numbers 13 to highlight this point.

Devotional by Pastor Afrika Mhlophe:

Hi my name is Afrika Mhlophe, join me as we pray for the Media as part of the 50 Days of Prayer and blessing for South Africa. A thought was planted in my mind as I was preparing for this session by a journalist who told me that she considers herself as a Christian, that their craft, their trade, in terms of Media and Journalism – they look and see themselves as the spies that were sent by Joshua to spy the land of Canaan. This story is found in the book of Numbers 13. Most of us know this story where Joshua sent 12 spies to spy the land of Canaan, but we know what happened. It says first of all in verse 21, “ So they went out and spied out the land in the wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob near the entrance of Hamath.” So the 12 spies came back and 10 of them came back with a bad report. That report influenced a number of things in the Nation of Israel, such that many of the people did not access their destiny because of the report that was brought back by the spies, but only 2 spies brought back a positive report. So Media plays a very powerful role as it reflects the community of the society which they are part of, but also the way it reports or the way it angles the stories in terms of journalism. It affects how they view things, it affects culture, it affects a number of things so I want us to pray that God will raise Media that does not only reflect that which is negative, that it doesn’t just reflect things that causes people to be despondent and loose hope. That people would find hope and as they watch their television screens or they listen to the radio broadcast or they read the newspapers or they engage in social media. So let us pray. Father we thank you this day that you would raise in this nation the Media that affects and influences people in a positive way. Not only in Media that brings negative influence, not only Media that causes people to despondent and loose hope in regard of the state and condition of our country. We thank you for shifting the focus, from focusing on stories that just sell newspapers or sell media spaces, but focus on stories that encourage and inspire people. We thank you for bringing that kind of media in this time in this country. We believe that it can be done in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Prayer Guide:

We bless South Africa’s media with accurate, truthful and unbiased journalism and broadcasting. We bless them with the ability to discern the truth from the lie, to be bold in exposing hidden agendas and to be responsible for the content of their programs, magazines, newspapers and social messages. May South Africans accept the challenge to build the nation, rather than tear it apart; to encourage people, rather than accuse, curse and demean others, especially through social media; to be the solution to overcome racism, rather than perpetuating hate, violence and racial discrimination. Lord Jesus Christ, please help us as Christians to remove all hate speech from our mouths.

PRAYER-WALK or DRIVE: Use your phone today and send this blessing to everyone on your contact list: In the name of Jesus Christ I bless you with the priestly prayer: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Num.6:24-26.

Thank you for joining us today in prayer. Grace and peace to you! Have a wonderful and blessed day.

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