Here is an email we received from the Vice-Chancellor of NEGST, the seminary where we will be working. Please read and pray for the country of Kenya. It appears from the news I just read online that things are settling down a little, but prayer is still needed.
Dear NEGST family members,
Nehemiah 1:4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
I write to you in the spirit of Nehemiah, with a heavy heart and much prayer over the recent election-related developments and current political situation. These are trying days for our nation. I empathize with all those who have suffered injustice, violence, disruption, loss of family and/or friends and acquaintances, loss of property, and loss of human dignity. Pray that we may be each other’s keeper.
During these difficult times I encourage us to trust the Lord who is “our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” The challenge before us is to pray and join hands to rebuild the broken walls. I want to encourage us to do so in the following ways:
First, Let us pray and work together for peace, in the full sense of biblical shalom. A national meltdown will bring unimaginable suffering to all, especially to the most vulnerable in our society. In this respect, let us pray that as a matter of urgency the violence and loss of innocent lives will stop. Let us pray for stability in the nation and that the political crisis does not degenerate into a wider social and economic crisis.
Second, let us pray for justice. As Dr. Wood has repeatedly taught us biblical justice goes beyond narrow legal justice, and embraces fairness, distributive justice, rightness, benevolence, etc. Let us pray for truth and justice to prevail over the current crisis in our nation, and for a long-term resolution of the many complex national issues.
Third, let us pray and work together for reconciliation at both the personal and social levels. I am reminded at this time that God’s new society, the Church, is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, heterogeneous community, which is redeemed by Christ, restored to God and to each other. Let us pray for mutual forgiveness, genuine reconciliation and restoration at the individual, social and national levels. Pray especially that we as the body of believers would lead the way in bringing healing and restoration to the nation.
In the words of the opening verse of our national anthem, may the God of all creation, our God who raised Christ Jesus from the dead and who is the sovereign king,
Bless this our land and Nation;
Justice be our shield and defender.
May we dwell in Unity, Peace and Liberty ;
Plenty be found within our borders.