Friday, March 21, 2008

Today’s Daily Nation headline tells of the team chosen to establish “the truth about the disputed presidential poll results.” This is an answer to prayer and a reminder to keep praying. As the truth is sought and reported within the given three month deadline, there may be many tense moments. Historically, those causing problems are rarely publicly identified and punished. So pray that the needed hard decisions will truly lead to peace and reconciliation in Kenya and not further frustrations, disruptions or even new destruction.
“‘Mountain of God’ spews out its wrath after series of tremors” (Daily Nation, 3/21/08, p. 14) also led me to praying. “The community living at the foot of Oldonyo Lengai … for generations … used to the volcanic ash from ‘the mountain of God’ in northern Tanzania … are now moving away … moved with their livestock … the revered mountain in the bed of the Great Rift Valley … The eruption of the mountain … triggered by a series of earthquakes that hit northern Tanzania and part of Kenya … has led to a human crisis. Food shortages have been reported among the nomadic pastoralists in the area. Many families have been displaced and are supported by relatives in villages ... Other families are facing hunger because many men have abandoned their homesteads to seek jobs in towns and trading centres … unfortunate time … the entire Maasailand is reeling under a prolonged dry spell … The ‘Mountain of God’, where the Maasai used to perform traditional rituals, became hostile … last July when it started emitting hot lava and smoke.”
Do pray for the people affected by the volcano and the drought, but you can also offer praises! “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation” (Isaiah 52:7). On this Good Friday, we can praise God that this is happening among the Maasai. This people group in southern Kenya and in northern Tanzania believe in God, but they are only now truly learning of his love and salvation. Like many of the other East African nomadic tribes, their traditional faith is based on rituals and sacrifices. The Maasai are now learning of God’s new Covenant – a covenant based on God’s plan to have a personal relationship with his all his children and to “put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts” (Hebrews 8:10). Many Christian missionaries, from other countries and East Africa, have obediently gone to mountains and plains where the Maasai live and brought good news and good tidings as they proclaim peace and God’s salvation through his Son. Today as you praise God for these servants and the Maasai who have become Christians, pray also for the many who react as those that heard Paul proclaim the truth of the “unknown God” (Acts 17:22-34.) Many sneer and refuse to give up their old beliefs and accept God’s new covenant through his Son. Pray also for those who desire to hear more. Thank you for praying.
Posted by Bert Yates, CCC Prayer Advocate
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“Judge targets ECK role in poll debacle” - http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=119503
“Mountain of God” – http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=119437