What Happened at National Prayer Day?

by Erin Carelse · December 12, 2017

Catholics have hailed the National Day of Prayer for South Africa at Soccer City (or FNB Stadium) in Johannesburg, with the bishops’ communication officer saying the event was a clear sign that God comes first in the lives of many people.

“We sincerely thank all who were a part of this ‘dawn of a new history’, and all who were with us in spirit to pray for South Africa,” said Fr Paul Tatu CSS, communications officer if the Southern African Catholics Bishops’ Conference.

Leaders of diverse faith-based organisations and people from all walks of life gathered at Soccer City in a show of unity. The purpose of the day was to pray for unity in South Africa, to pray for the poor, marginalised and the disadvantaged, and to pray for guidance, leadership, and blessings for a bright future for all South Africans.

Politicians Came Together to Pray

The National Day of Prayer was sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation, an initiative of billionaire Patrice Motsepe, a Catholic.

The Motsepe Foundation and faith-based organisations had previously held discussions about the serious and far-reaching problems and challenges facing all South Africans. Together they saw the need to hold a National Day of Prayer.

Present at Soccer City were various politicians, who in spite of their political differences came together and be united in prayer.

Members of denominations like the Zion Christian Church spent the night in vigil at the stadium to pray for South Africa.

“We must stand up against corruption in the government and against poverty. It should not only end here with a prayer, we must also take action for a better South Africa,” said Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg.

Anglican Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu, who has been out of the public eye for a while, addressed the gathering at noon in a prayer focused on economical inequality.

Gospel artists Rebecca Malope and Winnie Mashaba also performed.

Coming Together in Great Numbers Was Remarkable

People who attended the event were given free tickets to enter the stadium, and those who were outside could watch it live on eight big screens situated around the huge arena.

The event was broadcast live on Radio Veritas. Mahadi Buthelezi, the station’s marketing coordinator, said that one could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the stadium.

“History was made in South Africa and this is a clear indicator that we need to be united as one in order for our country to progress and succeed,” she said.

Fr Tatu said that in the past there have been occasions when people have prayed for the nation — but coming together physically in such numbers in the name of God was remarkable.

“The National Prayer Day for South Africa was inspired by the Spirit of God. It reminds everybody in the country that relegating religion to the peripheries is one of the biggest mistakes [of] the leadership of any country,” Fr Tatu said.

“We do what we can to the best wisdom of our human nature — but God is the author of the same wisdom,” he said.

“I congratulate all the leaders of religious and faith-based organisations and the Motsepe Foundation for reminding everyone that God is in charge — and where God is in charge no evil shall prevail,” Fr Tatu said.