How do we heal the nation?

When I thought of writing this piece, I was excited and then hesitant. Every writer has a POV, I wondered what mine should be. I could make this an opinion piece full of figures and commentary- the truth is you can find this anywhere, even on your social media feed.

So then I mulled over it and asked God to direct me because I believed this was something that needed to be said but tactfully. We just came from the Kenya 2022 General Elections. Even though things seem to be returning to normal, the truth is we are all in an uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution- we are in limbo.

A winner was declared, and his opponent was dissatisfied with the results. The dispute has now moved to the Supreme Court. Some areas had to postpone their elections, an electoral official is dead, while another has lost a limb because he would not tamper with results.

Many emotions have accompanied this particular election. One cannot ignore the hurt, disappointment and disillusionment people are experiencing. In a country where 85.5% of the population professes Christianity, this is proof that the Church does still have influence. In such a sensitive time, how do we use this influence?

Unfortunately, a section of Church leaders was compromised and used their authority to sway the congregation to vote for a particular candidate, instead of urging them to carefully consider candidates with the nation’s best interest at heart. Just when there was an opportunity to perhaps right this wrong, some churches celebrated and gave thanks when there was a section of believers still reeling from the shock of the results.

I kept asking, ‘How do we heal the nation?’ These are a few insights I had on the issue.

Seek to understand before you are understood

Context matters. It is in wanting so desperately to experience a different reality and having that opportunity snatched away repeatedly that we have people walking around with hurt and offence. It is impossible to not take it personally when the person in power determines whether your county has resources for the next five years or even how people at your workplace treat you based on your tribe. It is all the historical injustices that have been swept under the rug since Independence against different communities, the widening socio-economic gap brought about by corruption which has led to the rate of unemployment steadily rising, and the high cost of living- all of this plays a part in the emotions that are experienced by the ‘losing’ side. As true believers, we can practice empathy and mourn with those who mourn.

Be a voice for the voiceless

There was a time in our country when the clergy was a force to reckon with. They could not be bought, spoke up for the people and kept the government on their toes. Now, you will be hard-pressed to find Church leaders who openly speak out against wrongdoing. The silence is baffling- when the sermons sound like platitudes, it is no wonder that many are leaving the Church. If they are physically present, they are disconnected from the Gospel.

Even as we are urged to pray for our leaders in the New Testament, we cannot also discount the role that prophets in the Old Testament played in keeping kings accountable. If we believe the Bible to be true and lacking in nothing, and that His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life( 2 Peter 1:3) then we must actively see this not just displayed on our pulpits, but as members of the body of Christ, in our daily lives.

Pray

It might seem like I have already mentioned it above- After all is said and done, at the ballot box or in the courts, we need to pray. Pray for healing from decades of injustice, for systems that will hold people accountable from the top down and for a crop of leaders invested in improving the lives of the people they serve.
By pray, I don’t mean that quick check-in prayer when you wake up or before you sleep, but fervent, ceaseless prayer. God is not at all surprised by the unfolding of events. He is looking for a man like Daniel who will not bow to a corrupt system but will be exemplary in his field and daily submit himself to prayer. He is looking for an Esther who will fast for the deliverance of her people, so that the King may look upon them with favour.
Ephesians 6:12 ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’