Sunday, December 8, 2013

IN THE COMPANY OF A MAN - MANDELA

This week the world celebrates the life of the President of South Africa Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela said: It was difficult to concentrate on the negative aspect of your life. The important thing is that I was in the company of men of great experience and great talent.

I believe that President Nelson Mandela set a rare example for leaders in our troubled world. With him you were in the company of a man of great experience and great talent. Let's consider some of the things that Nelson Mandela said in his life time and let's use this time to pray for our leaders.


What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead. Nelson Mandela

When people are determined they can overcome anything.

I approach every problem with optimism.

There’s nothing as bad as a leader making a demand which you know can never succeed.

I am committed to ensuring that the president of a country like ours must not live in a style which is totally different from that of the masses of the people who put him in power.


As we pray for our leaders, let's remember - God is in control:

The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills. Proverbs 21:1

As we pray for our leaders, let's celebrate and lift up the live of Jesus Christ as the Man in the company of a men. He taught and set the ultimate example for leaders:

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:42-45

Pray that leaders will follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Pray that leaders will search their lives in the light of the Word of God. You can pray using words and thoughts from Scripture when praying for leaders all over the world:

  • Help our president [or any leader at any level] to accept wise counsel. Proverbs 11:14; 15:22 
  • Teach [name] to trust in You. Psalm 21:7
  • Protect [name] from the influence of the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
  • Give [name] discretion, foresight, and understanding in making decisions. 1 Chronicles 22:12
  • Generously answer his/her prayer for wisdom. James 1:5
  • Pour out Your Spirit on his/her leadership. Proverbs 1:23
  • Deliver [name] from opinions contrary to Your Word. Psalm 119:105
  • Protect [name] from harm, and bless and protect his/her family. Psalm 21:11; Ezra 6:10
  • Enable [name] to carry out his/her duties with humility toward You and toward others. 1 Peter 5:5
  • Bless [name] with strength, endurance, and stamina. 1 Chronicles 16:11; Isaiah 40:31
  • Equip [name] to act according to Your will and to make choices pleasing to You. Hebrews 13:20-21
  • Give [name] the courage to do the right thing even when urged to do the wrong thing. Proverbs 2:11–15
  • Give [name] a tender heart of compassion toward those he/she leads and serves. Colossians 3:12
Sources: 
  • http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/mini-site/audio-transcripts 
  • photo: http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/nation-now/2013/12/06/signature-style-the-many-shirts-of-nelson-mandela/3889239/
  • photo http://www.independent.co.uk/migration_catalog/article5255228.ece/ALTERNATES/w620/bywater4.jpeg 
  • https://s3.amazonaws.com/bgcdn/billygraham/dev/wp-content/uploads/legacy/pdfs/downloads/How_to_Pray_for_Our_Leaders_Download.pdf 

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