1 Samuel 13:14
“But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
INSIGHT
–Church in Greek is written as Ekklesia and Ecclesia in Latin, which means the body of Christ. We also know that Christ is the head of the church (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22). The church also means the people of God (1 Corinthians 1:2). Whereas, politics is written as politicos in Greek, which is derived from the word polis or politis that means, the affairs of the state. There are two classes of participants in politics; that is, active and passive participants. The first class of an active participant is a political aspirant. Active participants are those who participate in active politics. We know that God is both interested and involved in politics, and He is the One who chooses leaders. When the Israelites requested for a leader, the Lord instructed Samuel to anoint Saul, and God infilled him with His Spirit, and he prophesied (1 Samuel 10:10). Likewise when David was anointed king, the Lord again installed in him His Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13, Psalm 51;11). It is therefore important for believers to participate in active politics as the Lord calls us. Although Saul was elected by God, he disobeyed His commands. King Saul did not wait for Samuel the priest but was anxious and offered a sacrifice himself so as please God for victory against the Philippine army (1 Samuel 13:9). Again he spared the king Agag and the fatted livestock from the Amalekites, and the Lord rebuked him saying that, “obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15;22). Even though the Lord intended his kingdom to continue forever, Saul was dethroned due to disobedience and David was installed to power. Obedience to the word of God is key in leadership as this can sustain one in rulership. God chose and still chooses leaders today, and calls us to take heed to His word. Even though some Christians pronounce that politics is a dirty game and shy away from participating. God calls us to be the required change; necessary to ensure His will is done here on earth as it is in heaven. God chose David, a neglected shepherd boy, whose heart was after His own heart. This is the vital link between church and politics. Our hearts must be after God’s own heart. Like David, God calls all those who are actively involved in politics, and all of us, to obey His word and our hearts will be draw to Him.
PRAYER
Lord we thank You and give You all the glory and praise. Only You are worthy and able. Only You are Jehovah and none can be compared to You. You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. We surrender our hearts to You. May You synchronize our hearts with Yours. May You make Your purposes and ways known to us and teach us to keep Your word. Draw us near to You and purify our hearts with Your precious blood dear Jesus. Remove any form of double-mindedness and pride from our hearts, for Your love for us endures to all generations. Teach us Abba Father to do Your will. May You bless our children as they go back to school and grant them favor before You Lord, and among men and women. May You provide school fees and other incidentals for all parents and guardians. We humbly ask You Lord to give us leaders whose hearts are after Your own heart. May You fill them with Your Holy Spirit and teach them Your ways. May Your salvation be found in our homes, society and entire nation by Your merciful love dear Jesus. Only You are the Door to eternal life, may You help us all to enter find You, now and forever. May You go ahead of us this week to give us success in all our plans and hearts desires. May You protect us from all evil and surround us with Your hedge of fire. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: James 4:8
Genesis 41:15-16
“And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
INSIGHT
-The other class of active participants are the political advisors. We find Joseph who was a slave in Egypt but had special abilities of interpreting dreams. He had accurately interpreted the chief baker and chief butlers dreams, and he now had a chance to interact with the king. Even though he had this special gift, he did not boast about it but credited God as the author of wisdom and peace in Pharaoh’s matters. When we review the journey of Joseph towards his purpose, we see similarities with that of David. Both having been shepherd boys and were sent by their respective fathers to deliver food to their brothers. We also see their special gifts presenting them in the presence of kings. Both were careful not to take any glory, but gave all the glory to God. Their hearts were after God’s heart, and they were lifted from one glory to the next. As political advisors, it is critical to acknowledge God as the source of all wisdom, and make Him known to the world. We are called to go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). We are also called to represent Christ, as the salt and light of the world.
PRAYER
Lord Almighty Father we thank You and bless Your name. We praise You and give You all the glory and praise. We thank You for You have never left us orphaned but have given us the Holy Spirit. We thank You for protecting us, providing for us, healing our diseases, sustaining us, preserving us, guiding our steps and for Your precious gift of salvation. We thank You for the rains, may You make us productive in the land. May You bless the work of our hands and make us fruitful. May You increase in us the ability to make wealth for the glory of Your name. May You bless and protect our school going children, and prosper them in their studies. We thank You for the many gifts and talents that You have given us, may You expose them to us and to many, for the glory and honor of Your name. May our gifts and talents bring us before kings, and Your name will continually be glorified. We did not choose You Jesus but You chose us. Thank You for loving us first. Thank You for making us the salt and the light of the earth, may Your light radiate through us so that Your gospel may reach the world. May You make us Your instruments of peace for the glory of Your name. May Your purposes in our lives come to completion at the appointed time for the glory and honor of Your name. Amen
Further reading: Proverbs 18:16, Matthew 5:13-16
Acts 1:23-26
“So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.”
INSIGHT
-The disciples nominated two men and cast lots which was a way of voting. They made a choice between Joseph and Matthias as they sort the Lord for the best candidate. They chose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot, and their representation was complete. We also find in Jonah 1:7 when Jonah was running away from God and boarded a ship. The ship experienced a lot of turbulence, and the sailors cast lots to establish who was responsible for their calamity. When it fell on Jonah, they threw him into the sea, and a giant fish swallowed him, and he remained in its stomach for three days and nights. In a democracy, voting is the single most important form of political participation that a person can take part in since it ensures that politicians are elected by the people, rather than being assigned to their position of power by other powerful individuals, a leader we do not desire is elected. We are all called to exercise our democratic rights by voting for our leaders as active participants, as we seek for a man after God’s heart.
PRAYER
We thank You Abba Father for giving us a new month. We bless Your name for giving us Madaraka in this country. Thank You for winning the battle against colonists for us. We humbly ask You Jesus to deliver us from neo-colonialisms, and may You grant us leaders who will push Your agenda here in Kenya. Leaders after Your own heart Lord Almighty. We repent for all the sins that have taken place in this nation and humbly ask You to heal our land. This nation of Kenya belongs to You dear Jesus, may You anoint for Yourself, a president and deputy president, whose hearts are after Your own heart. May You help us to vote for leaders who will hear Your voice, and do Your will. We pray for a peaceful election in this season, and ask for Your peace that surpasses all understanding in our nation. We pray for love among all tribes, and prosperity in the land. May You grant us productivity, and heal our land. May You heal our hearts as well from every pain and evil desires. May You also draw our hearts to Yours that our hearts may be inclined to Your holy will. May You forgive us all our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. May You protect us dear Jesus and cover us with Your precious blood. May Your purposes for our lives and families, come to pass according to Your abounding grace and everlasting love. May You grant us favor in Your eyes Lord and before men and women, and grant us success in all things. May You bless our going out and coming in. May You bless us and make us fruitful in all areas of our lives, for the glory and honor of Your name. We pray this, believing and trusting in Jesus mighty name. Amen
Further reading: Proverbs 29:2
Esther 3:6
“Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.”
INSIGHT
-Political sensitizers are active political participants who give advice to the public on political matters. These can be social groups, activists, civic education groups, political experts, church leaders, journalists etc. Some of them are Christians and profess their faith in God. Most often they speak about social economic issues that affect the public. Haman who was king Xerxes senior-most official who plotted to kill all the Jews when Mordecai could not pay homage to him. Haman was a proud and self absorbed leader who expected everyone to kneel down for him. Mordecai on the other hand was quick to disburse true information on the ongoing plot against the Jews, to Esther. Queen Esther then prayed, fasted and approached the King thus overturning the whole matter. Mordecai shows us how politically active he was in being a sensitizer in the true, right and Godly way. We are called to spread the gospel of peace during this time of elections in the societies we live in.
PRAYER
Dear Almighty Father, we come before Your presence today with hearts of thanksgiving and adoration. We praise You and worship You for You have done great things in our lives and all around us. Father You are worthy of all our praise. We thank You and bless Your Mighty name today. Father may You forgive us from all our iniquities and wash us with Your precious blood. Father we repent for the times we have participated in negative incitement to the public and people around us. We humbly ask that You put a Spirit of peace within us and guide us in your statutes. May You visit us and take over the political affairs of the nation, leading us in Your divine will. May You put the right advisors and political sensitizers in our nation. We ask You to take over all and be enthroned. May You remember all families, societies and the nation at large, healing the sick, providing for those who lack and bringing restoration to our land in all ways. You are a faithful God and we thank for we know You have heard us and will do according to Your will. We pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.
Further reading: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
INSIGHT
-The other category of political participants is the passive participant. These include intercessors who pray for the active participants, the election process and the national affairs. The above scriptures exhort us to pray for all governmental leaders and politicians. As bad as they may seem or as corrupt as we might believe they are, this does not relieve us of our responsibility to pray for those who are over us. Further, we are all called to pray for our nation whether you are a citizen or a foreigner, God call everyone of us to Pray for the prosperity and peace of the land.
SUMMARY
There are two categories of participants in politics; these are active and passive. Active participants include:- political aspirants, political advisers, political sensitizers and voters. We also have passive participants who include the intercessors or prayer warriors. Political aspirants are those who are interested and involved in political offices. We might think that we have control over who runs the government but actually God is the One Who plucks up and puts down leaders. He is the One Who removes and sets up kings and kingdoms, including those who have authority over us. God gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (Daniel 2:21). Through God’s grace, kings reign, princes govern and all who rule on earth (Proverbs 8:15-15). God chooses our leaders and fills them with the Holy Spirit. When Saul was appointed he was filled with the Holy Spirit and he prophesied (1 Samuel 10:10). David was also filled with the Spirit of the Lord when he was appointed. Saul disobeyed the commands of God and he was dethroned. David a neglected shepherd boy was elected as he was a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14). The link between church and politics that our hearts should be after God’s own hearts. In whatever capacity God has called us, we should follow the word of God and pray that His will may be done on earth as it in heaven. As leaders, we should always seek the Lord and hear from Him in all our ways for it is God who gives victory and favor. For, when the righteous rule, the people rejoice. Righteous leadership are established in the Lord and He gives them wisdom. Political advisor who should seek after the will of God and not for personal gain. Gehazi chose to take silver and garment when his boss Elisha refused a gift from Naaman, and he caught leprocy (2 Kings 5). Balaam followed after personal gain to proclaim a curse upon Israel under king Balak’s instructions, and his donkey was used to perform the will of God (Numbers 22). It is vital to give godly advise when we are called to do so by our leaders. Many rulers who listens to Godly advice prospered in their reign. Good advice leads to good decision making which in turn causes a positive impact to the nation. Sensitizers should also follow after the will of God, and not for selfish gains. Activists, social groups, bloggers, journalists, human rights groups, church elders and other religious persons, should be keep to hear from God and deliver the message as God instructs. When about four hundred men were called to prophecy to king Ahab, they lied regarding victory in war but but prophet Micaiah proclaimed the truth (1 kings 22). When there are righteous sensitizers, the right information gets to the right hands and God ordained action is taken. When we begin by voting, electing or casting lots, we exercise our democratic rights and thus participate actively in politics. We are called to seek God’s counsel when it comes to election of leaders so that we may make the right choices. The disciples prayed while casting lots and elected Mathias to take over after Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:26). We are all called to pray for our leaders and nation, as intercessors, and the will of God will be established on earth as it is in heaven. We are called to seek the peace and prosperity of the land we live in for if we do so, we too shall partake of the blessing that come along with it. May we submit our hearts to God, and become vessels to be used by the Lord for God to work through us. Whether we are active or passive participants, we are called to pray for the will of God to prevail on the land, and for the election of the right leaders.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank You for Your word and Your will which You divinely establish on earth. We thank You for all You do for us and for taking care of all our needs. We exalt You and praise You for there is none like You. We are our great Advisor, our Prince of peace and our wonderful Counsellor, truly in You there is wise and perfect counsel. Father today, we pray for wise, true and righteous leaders. We pray that Your hand will be found at the center of our political affairs. We pray that You will appoint for us men and women after Your own hearts so that Your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. Father, may You put good advisors to walk with our leaders. May You put righteous political sensitizers to spread the gospel of peace and the true information to the right people for Your glory and Your power to be seen in leadership. Father may You forgive us the times we have disobeyed You, and cover us with Your precious blood. We surrender our hearts to You, may You use us as Your vessel of honor for Your glory. We call upon You to help us as vote in August, that You may lead us and guide us to make the right decisions. May Your peace prevail in our nation always, our Prince of peace. We thank You and praise Your Holy Name now and forever dear Jesus. Oh God of all creation, bless this our land and nation. May justice be our shield and defender. May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty. May plenty be found within our borders. May You bless us and keep us, make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. May Your favor be upon us and may You give us peace. Amen.
Further reading: John 14:27