We must step up prayer for the nation
The Churches must step up Prayer for Peaceful 2016 Elections. We have said that prayer must not be our last resort when things seem almost getting out of hand.
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No, prayer must be our first response, our first action in promoting peace in the nation.
We must take prayer action and encourage other appropriate actions in promoting peace. But prayer for the people of faith should be the first action and continue or consistent action.
Here are a few prayer topics to guide our prayers this election year (indeed, you may come up with your own additional prayer topics):
Thanksgiving
Thank God that Ghana in the Fourth Republic has been a relative oasis of peace in a sub-region of multiple civil strife and grave political disorders in neighbouring states.
Praise Him for the relative peace we enjoy. Thank God for His mercy on Ghana and that He has not released His anger and dealt with us as our political and other national sins deserve.
Thank God for the amazing, immense and massive family networks and inter-relations we have in this country. For inter-tribal marriages, long term very close school friendships and bonds and civil associations relationships, among others.
Somebody says, “Everybody in Ghana is related! Thank God for the Churches and faith communities that foster good bonds of friendship and love for one another.
We are a people of one destiny. This is our home. This is our country.
Pray that all of us will make effort, however small, towards maintaining the healthy bonds of belonging to one another, friendship and community. We are people of one nation, Mother Ghana!
Pray for the key democratic institutions
The three arms of government — The Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Pray for wisdom for the President John Mahama and his team to govern this election year in a manner that promotes order and peace in the country.
Pray that we will experience the elements of good governance at all levels.
Pray for secure borders and effective maritime vigilance.
Pray for the leaders of Parliament
Parliamentarians are essential custodians of peace in the electioneering process. Pray for their civil, clean and honourable political functioning within and outside their constituencies devoid of greed, rancour, strife and evil.
Pray that they will rather be agents of community harmony and peaceful political and economic development.
Pray that Parliamentary candidates and their teams will conduct political campaigns in such a manner that will promote peace instead of divisiveness and chaos. Pray for respect for law and order in all political campaigns.
Peace thrives in an environment of justice and good order. Pray that the Judges especially in the superior courts to administer justice firmly, fairly and promptly in this country in a manner that will promote truth, judicial satisfaction and peace in our country.
Pray that Judges will seek earnestly to keep our country together, uphold the constitution and honour the Lord Jesus in their work.
We must pray for the Electoral commission. Pray for wisdom, great courage, integrity and peace for Mrs Charlotte Osei, the chairperson of Electoral Commission and other commissioners in the discharge of their duties.
Pray that the various political party representatives that work on key EC committees will do their work diligently and with honesty. Pray for other committees.
Pray for adequate funding and other appropriate human resources for the work of the EC at the National, Regional, District and Polling Station levels throughout the country.
Ghana must win in the November 2016 Parliamentary and Presidential elections. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.
Our next prayer guide will cover other key stakeholders including political parties, presidential candidates, the media functionaries and others.
We must pray for the peace of Ghana and peaceful 2016 Elections.
(The author is a Leadership Development and Cross-cultural Ministries Consultant, an International, conference speaker and formerly General Director / CEO of Scripture Union Ghana. Email: [email protected] / [email protected])