Bless the Nation 50 Days of Prayer: Day 23

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Introduction:

Welcome to day #23 of “Bless the Nation” – 50 days of prayer. In Week 4 we are praying for the educational sphere. We are blessed to have Dr Arno van Niekerk for today’s devotional message. Dr Van Niekerk is a well-known economist and senior lecturer at the university of The Free State. He urges us to enter into a time of prayer for the nation, and escpecially for education. He also declares a prophetic word over the nation from Zechariah 8

Devotional by Dr Arno Van Niekerk

Good morning, South Africa, I’m Dr Arno van Niekerk, and I’m a senior lecturer at the University of the Free State, and also an economist. We have the privilege to spend time together this morning to pray and to trust the Lord for breakthrough in the ‘education’ sector and as we all know we are quite concerned about what has been happening on our university campuses, with student riots and all things going on, and in schools very often the discipline of our children is a major challenge. So this calls us parents, as children, as students to pray for our education sector – to pray for our schools, to pray for our universities, the time has come to really start interceding, cause when we pray the spiritual atmosphere starts changing all across our campuses, in our schools. So this is a call to encourage you to start praying for our schools and our university campuses. This morning we also want to bless the nation.

I want to read for you from Zechariah 8 using certain portions. Let’s bless the country with this Scripture, and I believe this is a prophetic word for South Africa.

Zechariah 8:6-9 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, Will it also be marvelous in My eyes?’ Says the LORD hosts. (7) “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east And from the land of the west; (8) I will bring them back, And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people And I will be their God, In truth and righteousness.’ (9) “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Let your hands be strong, You who have been hearing in these days These words by the mouth of the prophets, Who spoke in the day the foundation was laid For the house of the LORD of hosts, That the temple might be built.

Zechariah 8:12-13 ‘For the seed shall be prosperous, The vine shall give its fruit, The ground shall give her increase, And the heavens shall give their dew— I will cause the remnant of this people To possess all these. (13) And it shall come to pass That just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, Let your hands be strong.’

Zechariah 8:16-17 These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; (17) Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; And do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,’ Says the LORD.”

Zechariah 8:23 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man (may we prophesy, a South African – black, white, coloured, Indian) saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ‘ “

People I believe South Africa has entered a time, especially after the huge event here in Bloemfontein where over a million people came to pray, that we are entering into a time of intercession. 1 Peter 2:9 speaks of a royal priesthood that rises up and that the Lord wants to use in these days. We call you all to pray, especially for our schools, universities and our government in South Africa to stand in faith. It is the faithful prayer of God’s servants that brings the breakthrough. So stand in faith and stand on the Word of God, in Jesus name, Amen.

Daily Prayer Guide:

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” (Psalm.119:9, NKJV). In the Name of Jesus Christ we bless the youth of South Africa. May they be exposed to the Word of God at a young age and learn to discern between right and wrong, good and evil. We pray for wise mentors and role models that will guide them towards godliness, righteousness and integrity. We pray for the protection of the young generation of today against the temptations and evils of the modern world. We pray for their minds and hearts to be protected against evil ideologies, lies, intimidation and indoctrination to that they will be able to resist the spirit of rebellion, disobedience, violence and anarchy. Lord God, bless our youth

Pronounce the 3 blessings in Num.6:24-26, Matt.5:2-12 and Eph.1:3-4 over the youth of our nation.

PRAYER-WALK/DRIVE: Colleges, universities, training and research institutions.

PRAY FOR: Lecturers, students, student councils, etc.

May the Lord of Heaven and Earth bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you. In Jesus name. Amen

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