NBCC calls for 152 Hrs Chain of Prayer for General Election 2024
Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho
NBCC General Secretary
I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one (Ezekiel 22:30).
For once, let us see ourself as that one man, or one woman, standing in the gap through prayer for our nation in general and Nagaland in particular for the upcoming 2024 General Election. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has called for 152 hours Chain of Prayer starting from 12 April 2024 to express and experience the deep levels of unity among the Christians through corporate intercession.
How often do you find yourself standing in the GAP? The need to stand in the gap before God is as urgent as it was before. Standing in the gap is an intercession that bridges the gap between God and the person of prayer. 152hrs isn’t a magical/special number but it signifies the years of Christianity in Nagaland. The point is that we maintain continuity and pray.
In the ancient world, cities were fortified against outside attacks. City walls were built, and they act as security for people who dwell within the perimeter of the protected city. Today, we cannot build walls around our cities because they are ever-expanding. To build the city wall today is to limit ourselves in many ways. But we can protect our cities, towns, and villages with our prayers.
In this ever-changing situation of modern society, region, country, and world, we must think big but also seriously ponder what will become of us. Think globally and act locally seems right as we look at the present scenario from socio-cultural-politico and religion. We are all aware that in the last decade or so, we have been cornered from all fronts. This calls for a concerted effort to intercede for the country and our state.
The north east region of India has always felt disconnected from the mainland India. This is felt more by the Nagas for some obvious reasons. The Bible says, there is a season for everything under heaven. We are all apprehensive of what the country will look like in the socio-political and religious spheres. What we have taken for granted is cornered. We are challenged and are hard-pressed. We are entering into another season, and we do not know how long this will last.
The talk is now about what will happen to the nation. Speculations may be true, or might just be a propaganda. Whatever it is, we are all weary and concerned by reading the “handwriting on the wall.” The leaders we are going to put in the leadership position for the country will make policies and chart the way the nation will move forward for the next five years to come. They will affect the country, the region, the state, the community, the family, the faith base organization and the church.
We need the “GOD FACTOR” this time around as we pray for the coming election. Our call for prayer is not to pray for any particular political party to be elected. Our prayer is not to target individual person as well. But we pray that God will move their conscience, from evil design to doing good for the nation. Our prayer is for God to intervene in bringing the right leaders who will progressively lead the nation. To allow freedom of religion and social interaction of equality to prevail, where everyone will feel safe and comfortable.
We are becoming desperate people. We have lost our hope in the system but are too weak to come out of it. With every election, we are sinking deeper and deeper. What is left of us that we should be rejoicing about? Nothing. No, nothing. What is left with us is our faith. Let us rekindle our faith. Let us exercise our faith in prayer. Let us not give up. God is on His throne, and He rules SUPREME. He is waiting for us to act in faith and with all sincerity. Let us get down on our knees and lift our hands together, believing that God will do great and mighty things for our land. We need to ask God to prick the consciences of everyone, including us, our leaders, and voters. How long can we go on like this and bring shame to ourselves and to God? Can’t we say enough is enough!
In moments like this, when we are all weary, anxious, and concerned, Paul admonishes us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God." Philippians 4:6. In every situation. This includes the election situation. But to be frank, I am anxious as I put my thoughts together to encourage you to pray. I am fearful as well. And I know you too are. We are all worried, we are all anxious, and we are all deeply concerned because things appear to be out of our control. Bad politics has entered our land. WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE! The little good that we do doesn’t seem to be making any difference. They remain as a suspect, and our intentions are misconstrued. We need the “GOD FACTOR” more than ever.
We are given the impression that we are the reason the nation is stalled. Humanity seems to have lost its conscience of trust, where we are all part and partial of the whole thing. Our faith expressions are taken as a threat, and they seek to destroy and silence us. We are experiencing new things every day, and we feel discouraged and disheartened. But we cannot give up. We need to hold on to the “GOD FACTOR.”
The little ground we have gained should become our base because God was there. This time around, as we pray for our nation and our state, let us make GOD as the factor. The God factor perhaps, is the one we have been missing very badly in our situation.
Let us pray. Let us connect with God. The only way that positive change is not possible is when believers refuse to pray! What we need is more people standing in the gap, in fervent prayer! This election let us put the “GOD FACTOR” to work. Psalms 94: 14 says, “For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage.” We can simply say, “may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” May God be merciful and be gracious to us in our desperate. May this be our prayer for 152 hrs.
LET US STAND IN THE GAP. God bless us all!
(Part two to be continued)
