“Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”  George Washington

On Thursday we will celebrate Heritage Day in South Africa. It recognises and celebrates the cultural diversity of the country. In its essence, the day embraces and celebrates the true meaning of why we call ourselves the Rainbow Nation. It is also known informally as National Braai Day.

While we celebrate this day, there is very little emphasis on the Christian heritage of our country. Since Europeans first settled in this country on the tip of Africa, missionaries of the London Missionary Society, Moravian Mission and others brought the Word to the many people. They converted many of the inhabitants to the Christian faith, ensuring that the Government passed laws and the people lived their lives based on Christian principles.

Sadly, our country has, to a great extent abandoned their adherence to Christian morality. Witness the wholesale plunder of our government’s finances by many of those in government, the lawlessness and violence in the land, the hijackings and kidnappings that take place everywhere.

We need to pray for

• Ourselves, that we, at grass roots level, ensure that we live our lives following Christ as witnesses and as an example to others, be it in the workplace, sports fields or socialising.
• Those in authority, that they may heed the Word of God as they lead the country, organisations or businesses
• For the criminals, that they may heed the word, often preached in prison ministries
• For ministers and lay people as they spread the Good News and for the ungodly, that their ears to be open to receive the Word.