Habakkuk Prays for Kenya

About 6 years ago, there was much disillusionment in our country following the PEV. Political intransigence and posturing were the order of the day. The church leadership was also striving to find its place once again after fumbling during the pre-election period.  At some point the NCCK issued an uncharacteristically blunt statement that made international news;

"The impression and expression of most Kenyans is that they have a moribund president and an ineffective prime minister,"

"In their hearts, Kenyans cannot understand how they can be going through an extremely difficult period, with no hope in sight, yet the president ... is extremely quiet about those issues, almost as if he has lost touch with reality."

Odinga, though charged with coordinating government ministries, "complains about the same people he is supervising instead of streamlining their operations," NCCK.

 

At another event, religious leaders caused a storm when they read statements at a prayer meeting with the President sitting just metres away;

"You have been reluctant to punish those perceived to be your friends who are corrupt and greedy; you have neglected the internally displaced persons and have not acted decisively on insecurity and extrajudicial killings.  As a result, Kenyans have been disillusioned by the Grand Coalition Government." Pentecostal Church Bishop Boniface Adoyo

The SUPKEM representative then added;

"You have continued to divide Kenyans over ethnic lines to win political office. You have bribed, intimidated, incited, manipulated and forced your followers into servitude." Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Abdulgafur Al-Busaidy.

Nothing captured the latent anger of those days like these statements from men we would otherwise prefer to be as, ‘gentle as doves’.

Well, this was the situation that Habakkuk found himself in; only that his anger was directed at God. He was frustrated at God’s apparent lack of concern in the face of mounting problems. 

Rampart injustice and lawlessness reigned in his country. It is possible that he had also been a victim of the unjust systems just like some here have fallen afoul of our weak judicial system or inefficient public service.

He cried out to God;

How long, O Lord, must I call for help?
    But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!”

I cry, but you do not come to save.
³ Must I forever see these evil deeds?
    Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people
    who love to argue and fight.
⁴ The law has become paralyzed,
    and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
    so that justice has become perverted. Hab. 1:2-4 (NLT) 

 

The leadership and the citizenry were not at all concerned about the plight of those troubled by violence, destitution and injustice. There was, among the privileged, a complete disregard for the rule of law.  Some could even be listed as co-perpetrators in the system that perpetuated injustice and social disorder. In time, those who sought to do good were far fewer than those hell-bent on wrong-doing. 

I don’t know about you, but for me this sounds a lot like Kenya today. What with its runaway corruption, a grossly unequal society and government officials who routinely disobey court orders. Our news is full of hate, violence and unimaginable scandals? 

Habakkuk, a righteous man was constantly tormented by these societal ills. Are you?

He prayed and prayed; then he probably prayed some more. Eventually he grew frustrated at God and burst out;

How long, O Lord, must I call for help?
    But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!” I cry,
    but you do not come to save.
³ Must I forever see these evil deeds?
    Why must I watch all this misery? 

It was an audacious prayer from a mere man and indeed one we should not undertake lightly. But then the poor fellow must have been at his wits end!

Sometimes I am amazed at how Christians take such a lazy view of the social disorders that facing our country.

If we are to read more of Habakkuk other than the popular…Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines…, then we would realize just how much danger we sometimes place ourselves in as a nation when we do not pray for our political and church leadership.

When Christians closet themselves to only work, Hope FM, church and Bible studies while completely ignoring the social and moral tensions around them, they are not behaving as Jesus did. Jesus was keenly aware of His social and moral environment. He talked much about sin. He also talked a lot about the poor. He sought to empower those whose voices were often unheard such as women and children.  He took the kingdom of God to the outcasts of society; the ‘other tribe’ (Samaritans), the leprous, the sinful women, the hated tax-collectors and the so-called publicans.

If you my friend, have been following the trends on mainstream and social media then you will realise there is something happening to the masses that you should be concerned and praying about. On the President’s birthday the hashtag ‘WhatUhurushouldDo’ was trending on KOT (Kenyans On twitter)

 

 

 

Christians who either keep quiet or (even worse) side with the oppressors and thieving masses in government because of their political or tribal affiliations are misrepresenting Jesus.

Sunny Bindra puts it this way;

“Even worse, look at the adulation the ignorant masses bestow on the newly and questionably rich. Look at how plunderers are guests of honour everywhere. Look at how youngsters try to study and emulate their paths to riches. Look at how the people flock around their helicopters.”(sunwords.com –where the ignorant clap for the immoral)

Jesus showed zero tolerance for the oppressors of His day. He was not afraid to take on the powerful religious leaders that were in fact the real rulers of Israel under Roman dominion. The Bible says;

 

When a good person gives in to the wicked,
it’s like dumping garbage in a stream of clear water.Prov25:26

Are you going to challenge your social media circle, your relatives and your friends to focus not on tearing others down but on bringing down the corrupt and unjust habits that are threatening to devour your country?

Are you going to sit back or are you going to petition God like Habakkuk did?