South Sudanese citizens have been urged to remain united and fulfill God’s vision for their country. This was said recently during a thanksgiving and prayer service for the nation.
South Sudanese citizens have been urged to remain united and fulfill God’s vision for their country. This was said recently during a thanksgiving and prayer service for the nation.
The event, graced by South Sudan deputy head of mission to Kenya, ambassador Jimmy Deng Makuach, took place early this month in Nairobi, Kenya, and was themed ‘Thanksgiving Prayers for South Sudan’.
The sermon was delivered by Pastor Christophe Munonyi, a former UN diplomat, an academic and author of God's Vision for South Sudan. He exhorted South Sudanese not to be divided because of natural resources but to be united in building their country.
Prophetess Grace Dalizu of Jesus Lives Ministries (JLM) Church led a prayer walk of peace, with all those present holding candles and declaring that the light of God shall shine forth in South Sudan again.
Ambassador Deng Makuach stressed the importance of prayers, adding that South Sudanese are from the same family, and their unity is what shall restore peace in their land.
“I have faith that God has started to touch and soften the hearts of men and restoration shall take place,” he told the congregation.
The theme of the day was based on Scripture reading from 2Chronicles 7:14 which says, "If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, then I shall heal their land and bring forth restoration".
The service was also the 8th year anniversary celebration for Jesus Lives Church (JLM), whose mission is to affect the world for Christ. The relationship between the South Sudanese community in Nairobi and JLM Church started way back in 2014 after the world was greeted with drumbeats of war from South Sudan. JLM Church in partnership with Nairobi's South Sudanese community organised a three-day prayer, which culminated in a praise and worship celebration that was commemorated by waving of South Sudan's flag and release of doves in the air as a symbol of the dawn of peace.
That event was graced by the then South Sudanese High Commissioner as well as other dignitaries from the embassy. It was also covered by mainstream Kenyan media, including Kenya Television Network (KTN).
“We were grateful to God because a peace deal was signed a few weeks after that,” says Jefro Katai, a member of the church, who witnessed both the occasions. “The thanksgiving celebration that took place this month was to give thanks to God for the peace that has taken place in the last 2 years.”
The thanksgiving celebration comes at a time when there is renewed hostility in South Sudan between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those of his former Vice president Dr. Riek Machar. The thanksgiving celebration team had already started its planning when the violence broke out again in Africa's youngest nation. Nevertheless, the Church and the South Sudanese community decided to still have the event's theme as ‘Thanksgiving for South Sudan’, as an act of faith and gratitude for the peace of God that shall reign in the land.
The event was also attended by diplomats from the embassy as well as a cabinet minister in South Sudan. Apostle Lupai, who heads a ministry based in Juba, also spoke and encouraged the South Sudanese not give up hope.
The colourful event was full of praises, songs, dance and worship of God as the body of Christ declared peace over South Sudan. It was also a time for hope and unity, as the event was attended by South Sudanese from all walks of life.
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