Reading 1 Samuel today I was struck by the reaction of the people of Philistia to the plagues sent among them and the comparison with the African reaction to the drought. In Philistia, they rightly saw God’s wrath behind the judgement sent among them and – eventually – did the right thing and returned the Ark to Israel.
In Africa today, they have similarly clear insight. Namely that the drought is a problem, but the famine only endures because of man’s greed. Many of us might be tempted to see God behind the famine, but the common cry on the ground is one against corruption and injustice rife across the region.
While we in the west might have just noticed the famine, these problems in Africa are not new. We have just noticed them because of the scale of the crisis.
In short, mankind has every opportunity to ensure that Africa can always feed, water and clothe itself. It has, for example, some of the richest agricultural land on the planet. Yet all we see is drought and famine.
The truth is that for permanent change to happen in Africa, we need to be supporting them even when the cameras leave. Kenya has risen in the UN tables from the 148th developed country in the world to the 127th. Yet the sad fact remains that African nations tend to bounce up and down with regime change, or with internal strife.
Pray for ongoing compassion from the rest of the world, ongoing support. Pray for peace and good governance. Pray that what God has begun in Africa is continued and enforced. Pray for more charities helping the remote and vulnerable, so that as infrastructure grows, it can reach all peoples and not be limited to certain tribes. Pray for unity in Africa so that African nations truly support each other.
Pray for a new tomorrow where the phrase “This is Africa” becomes “That was Africa.”
Prayer
Lord, thank you for all that is being done in Africa.
Forgive the world its greed that it only wakes up in times of extreme crisis.
Guide governments with Your wisdom and discernment to spend money wisely for a lasting solution.
Raise up great leaders, spiritual and in government to lead Africa forward, Lord.
Bring unity across Africa where the rich help the poor.
Build a lasting solution in Africa, Lord.
Transform their lives physically and spiritually so they can see You are the Lord.
In Jesus’ Name we ask this.
Amen
Bible Passage
1 Samuel 5
The Ark in Philistia
1 After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod. 2 They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. 3 But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again. 4 But the next morning the same thing happened—Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the Lord again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact. 5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod will step on its threshold.
6 Then the Lord’s heavy hand struck the people of Ashdod and the nearby villages with a plague of tumors.[a] 7 When the people realized what was happening, they cried out, “We can’t keep the Ark of the God of Israel here any longer! He is against us! We will all be destroyed along with Dagon, our god.” 8 So they called together the rulers of the Philistine towns and asked, “What should we do with the Ark of the God of Israel?”
The rulers discussed it and replied, “Move it to the town of Gath.” So they moved the Ark of the God of Israel to Gath. 9 But when the Ark arrived at Gath, the Lord’s heavy hand fell on its men, young and old; he struck them with a plague of tumors, and there was a great panic.
10 So they sent the Ark of God to the town of Ekron, but when the people of Ekron saw it coming they cried out, “They are bringing the Ark of the God of Israel here to kill us, too!” 11 The people summoned the Philistine rulers again and begged them, “Please send the Ark of the God of Israel back to its own country, or it[b] will kill us all.” For the deadly plague from God had already begun, and great fear was sweeping across the town. 12 Those who didn’t die were afflicted with tumors; and the cry from the town rose to heaven.