Focus: Africa
By Deyon Stephens, Co-Founder of Mercy Ships
Scripture Reference: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a Temple at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up!” (2 Chronicles 36:11).
Devotional: How strange it must have sounded to the exiles in Babylon to hear Cyrus make this proclamation! Was it not Babylon, which Cyrus now ruled, which had seventy years earlier killed most of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, razed it to the ground, and carried the few survivors off to exile?
So began the return of the Jews to Judah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple.
Today Bono, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Geldorf are using the megaphones of their influence to proclaim the necessity of justice and mercy for Africa. How strange it must sound to some to hear such proclamation from those who gained their influence through music, business and finances!
Still the spotlight of the western world is beginning to focus on Africa.
Africa needs all of us: The Church, businesses, governments, organizations, and individuals.
Mercy Ships was called to Africa more than 15 years ago. Others, too, have heard the command to rebuild Africa, some many years before us. Soon we will be joined by more workers. May God grant that Africa experience justice and mercy like never before.
Prayer Points:
• Pray that many will hear and respond to the proclamation on behalf of Africa.
• Pray for wise strategies for effective work, accountability, and measurement.
• Pray that Mercy Ships will be a clear demonstration of Jesus, in word and deed, to Africa and to those who come to help.
• Pray that God will move like never before in Africa, transforming people as well as their surroundings.
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