Intensify prayer for presidential candidates

We now know the Presidential Candidates for the December 7, 2016 elections.

While there is the countdown to the voting day, the Church should increase intercessory prayer for the presidential candidates and for the peace of the nation before, during, and after the December 2016 elections.

Our goal is that Ghana must win - enjoy peace within which governance will be done and activities for sustained development take place for the total wellbeing of all citizens.

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity”. 

(1 Timothy 2:1&2, NLT)

Presidential candidates 

Pray for the four Presidential aspirants - Mr. John Dramani Mahama, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, Mr. Ivor Greenstreet and Mr. Jacob Osei Yeboah.

• That they will function as men of high political integrity, deep patriotism and genuine love for the people of mother Ghana. May Christ strengthen them in their love for the people they aspire to govern as president.

• That they will carry out their campaigns honourably and with dignity in a manner that is deserving of a prospective occupant of the highest office of the nation.

They should treat the Ghanaian people to campaign messages and presentations that are decent and based on issues and how they propose to lead this nation to the next level of growth and sustained socio-economic development.

• Pray that at their level, their objective will be “to speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15); give clean and sanitised speeches that will better promote love for country and love for neighbour (or risk rejection by the people of faith).  

May they continually be guided in their speeches and presentations by the Rotary Club 4-way test:

“Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships? and Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

May the presidential candidates lead us in exemplary etiquette of speech for the good of Ghana (and encourage their Party activists to emulate them). 

The appropriate use of the tongue is so important that the Psalmist prays “take control of what I say O Lord, and guard my lips” (Psalm 141:3, NLT)

Party campaign teams

Pray that the political campaign messages and presentations will

• Focus on issues; sharing their developmental agenda for the nation with the voters

• Responsibly inform; not intentionally misinform. Voters are not happy to be treated to deceptions and fabricated stories

• Keep the golden rule. That is “what I will not be happy if someone else says about me (which is not true), I should not say about my opponent.”

• Not deliberately twist the facts or on a subject or political opponents

• Stop personal attacks and insults (it keeps good and very responsible people away from politics).

• Pray that presidential aspirants and parliamentary candidates and their allies will acknowledge that contributing to a nation is not only when a person occupies the seat of the president or becomes a parliamentarian.

There are other critical ways of serving Mother Ghana including in Science and Industry, Education, Economics and Business, Agriculture, Medicine and the Arts. Therefore, campaigns for political office should not be seen as a “do-or-die” affair,

• Pray also for divine protection and the physical strength for all Presidential candidates. 

“Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” (Psalm 34:12-14, NLT)

The Electoral Commission

The expectations for free, fair, peaceful and successful 2016 National Elections are so high that the Electoral Commission (EC) should rise up to the onerous tasks of conducting the 2016 creditably. 

• Pray for the highest integrity and fairness in the conduct of electoral business by Mrs Charlotte Osei, Chairperson of the EC, the Commissioners and Heads of Departments and Staff and key agents of the EC. 

• Pray for the vigilance of the EC against IT fraud and cyber-attack from within and outside the EC.

• Pray that political party representatives will effectively partner with the EC staff to conduct a much desired credible elections. 

Let us raise ernest intercessory prayers for Ghana’s political leaders, party political activists, discerning voters, and the peace of Mother Ghana.