Prayer around land redistribution in South Africa

Intercession
Sunday 11 March 2018

We come to you Father, aware of a world full of injustice
People who have suffered deeply
People who feel abandoned by God

Land redistribution is on the minds of all in South Africa at present.

Land represents so much – different things for different people – security, belonging, provision, well-being, existence, personhood, hope ...

We know that in the past, and even still today, the powerful in our country have taken land from others. That many have been denied the sense of meaning which land gave to them or to their forebears. Men and women have been left without the means to sustain themselves while others have enriched themselves.
Lord, we know that this grieves you, because you gave such clear instructions to your people about sharing land equitably and returning land to people who had been dispossessed. So, Lord, we feel sad to see how far we have fallen from your ways.
Forgive us as a nation, we pray and empower us to do better. We ask that you will drive out fear, greed and hatred, so that all needs may be met.

We ask that the redistribution of rural land will be tackled with discernment, courage and grace. We pray against corruption at every level.
Thank you for the many farming families  who have worked together as owners and workers to create wonderful new models of owner-worker-seller cooperation: pour out your blessing on these people and their land we pray.
We ask for your Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of hardened farm-owners and workers to soften hearts and bring about just and collaborative solutions.
We pray that those responsible will be able to find the best way forward to bring about just ownership patterns and excellent use of all agricultural land in South Africa. We are sure you want people to flourish as they work providing food for everyone.

We ask too for the redistribution of urban land will be approached with increased determination and greater attention to urban needs. We pray against corruption and entitlement, and for wisdom and knowledge to enable our cities to become arenas with place for everyone.
We pray that we will find a way to return property to those who were dispossessed. We ask for healing to come to those who are still suffering as a result of the violence of forced removals.  We pray about the many instances where people have never legally owned a property, yet have lived there for generations. Lord, help us to find ways to make it possible for people to stay where they feel a sense of belonging.
We ask also Lord for better distribution of property among the extremely wealthy, the well-off, the poor and the destitute. We pray for city officials to be wise, to love justice, and to have courage as they legislate, grant permissions, and demand compliance.
We pray against the unbridled power of the property developers. Holy Spirit please come upon these men and women; may many of them find their eyes opened and discover a heart for justice within themselves. We pray that those with hard hearts will be prevented from contravening regulations and from bribery.
We long for cities where everyone has a place, a place that will truly be home for them.

Finally Lord our God, we pray for ourselves. Please provide a suitable place to be for any who have no home.  Please enable each of us who owns property or who has a home to use these gifts well. We pray that we will be hospitable and open-hearted, that we will care for what we have with thankfulness, and that we will live without damaging your world.