Let’s say a prayer for our troubled nation

The verdict is out. A pronouncement by the chief judge of the highest court: Kenya is a “bandit economy with mafia-style cartels run by political bosses and corrupt businesspeople.” According to the Chief Justice, “The influence of the cartels is overwhelming...” In a sense, this is not news. And yet, its tone stirs within us a sense of hopelessness and helplessness, leaving none able to reverse the tide.

As I have pondered over this my spiritual self tells me we must not give in to this despair. Instead, we must wrestle these forces through prayer. This, I request we do today. If by the nature of your background, learning, or disposition, you do not subscribe to the belief in the existence of the divine, you need not read any further. But for those who are base enough to believe in a God who rules and reigns over the affairs of this world, join me in pleading for the redemption of the soul of our nation.

O God of all creation, bless this our land and nation. For unless you do, we appear headed to the abyss. In your wisdom you guided the fathers of our nation to place you, our God, at the centre of all that we do. They therefore crafted our national anthem into a perpetual prayer to Jehovah, the maker of heaven and earth.

But with time, we have vastly deviated from this commitment. Instead, we have created our own gods and pursued them with wicked diligence. The god of mammon has captivated our hearts and totally blurred our vision of you. From the highest of our leaders to the lowest of our citizens, this god is driving all that we do.

Consequently, in our own admission, we have become corrupt to the core. The Scripture is thus proved that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. For this, O Lord, we plead for your forgiveness and ask for your deliverance. Wrench our hearts from this enslaving desire for more and more of filthy lucre. Remove from our ranks, every man or woman bent on feeding on our sweat. Like Judas, may those who steal from us not live to enjoy their loot. But like Zacchaeus, save those who willingly return it.

Lord, our fathers prayed that we may dwell in unity, peace, and liberty. Instead, we have raised up for ourselves tribal kings that have led us into ethnic division, hatred, and brutal animosity. We have spilt innocent blood in the pursuit of tribal wealth and political power. This blood cries out before you, our God. Today we come in repentance and plead for your mercy. Purge our land from this wicked vice of tribalism. Deliver our leaders from divisive politics, and remove those who are bent on sowing seeds of discord. Raise up for us men and women of peace, with a passion for the good of this our nation.

Lord, we seem to be a nation under siege. The terrorists have conspired and are determined to destroy this land. They have killed and maimed our people at will. Our economy is being ruined and our prospects for growth dimmed due to fear and uncertainty by potential visitors and possible investors. You O God are God Almighty — a God who needs no defence. Would you not arise and uproot this enemy from the land. Like in the days of King Jehoshaphat, may their guns be turned against themselves until all are destroyed. May we thence enjoy peaceful rest as you breathe life into our economy.

And Lord, your house lies in ruins. The living stones have become a mere heap of rubble, and the watchmen have turned into thieves. Thus your bride has become a disgrace and byword in the land. Arise O God and restore the glory of your House and the dignity of your Bride. Like you did in Jerusalem, drive out the thieves and robbers whose only intent is to fleece your flock, and to enrich themselves. Uproot the tares that threaten to choke the wheat. Raise up the voice of the prophet and restore the place of the priest. Transform us once again into the salt and the light that you intended us to be. And may your glory cover this land, as the waters cover the sea. Be pleased to hear our prayer, for we pray it for your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.