(EDITOR’S NOTE: I woke up this morning in a very sanguine mood and full of hope that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) will win today’s election and end the long political nightmare that the Bahamian people have endured for more than four-and-a-half years under Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis and the FNM government. During my daily morning devotion, I said a prayer that Our Lord and Savior would inspire voters to make the right decision and turn my hope into reality after all the votes are counted tonight. Then I saw this powerful payer posted by Jewel Edwards on her Facebook page yesterday, and I was compelled to share it. I shall write a further comment at the end of this prayer):
Heavenly Father, I bow in prayer in obedience and stand in the gap to intercede during this election time and beyond for my nation. Father, an election is a sensitive matter in our nation and we need Your intervention. I ask You to make the elections process smooth and efficient. Father God, we acknowledge You today as Lord, not only of individuals, but of nations and governments. We thank You, Father, for democracy, the privilege of voting that is ours–an opportunity to influence the direction our country will take by choosing those who will lead us. We thank You for the opportunity this election puts before us, to exercise our solemn duty to vote thoughtfully and prayerfully. We pray for fair and transparent elections to take place, free from corruption. And ask that You bring safety, peace and stability.
We stand on Your Word believing that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Ps. 33:12); we acknowledge that indeed according to Proverbs 14:34 that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Mighty Father, the foundation of Your throne is justice and righteousness, therefore, let justice prevail during this election process we are in.
Father God, I ask that You would be with all the candidates who are running for office. Please keep them physically healthy and strong, and focused on the task before them. Father God, we uplift up polling stations across the Bahamas. We pray for safety as people turn out to vote. Give strength, protection and energy to those working the stations.
May this election give us leaders who truly serve the people, just as You came not to be served but to serve (Mk. 10:45). May this election be conducted in an honest, truthful and transparent manner. Heavenly father, we lift every candidate to You. We pray that whatever the result You will be with each of them. Help those elected to be humble in victory and for peace for those who were unsuccessful. For everyone running for office, whether they win or lose, refresh their spirits and encourage them. Give them the strength to make good decisions both in and out of the public eye. Help them readily give grace — and receive it. Protect their families from sickness, bitterness, and discouragement. May every leader be encouraged by the truth that Your love is always stronger than hate. Call our leaders, political candidates, citizens to a new level of respect. decency and civility. Remind them that You are Sovereign and that the wisest choice we can make is to serve You and serve others. May there be a new movement of collaboration and respect throughout the country. Give Your people the strength to lead by example with integrity, humility, transparency, accountability, good governance, radical, world-changing love.
Father I stand in the gap for those who are grieving, who are sick and our medical professionals. O God may You get the glory out of this global pandemic. Almighty God, we know that everything is in Your Sovereign control. You are our Refuge and Strength a very present help in times of trouble. Father we cast our cares upon You because we know You care for us (1 Peter 5:7). We thank You that You are with us through all the changing scenes of life. Oh God, heal our nation as only You can. You are the Great Physician and we trust in You.
I pray that You don’t allow elections to divide us but rather to bring us together and unite us as we gather to elect leaders who will serve our interests. We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear Your Word, live Your love, and keep in the ways of Your truth. Heavenly Father, I pray that we will elect righteous leaders who love mercy and justice and will honor and obey You. We pray that leaders will recognize that they are first accountable to God, then to the citizens they represent. I pray for God-led leaders, who will inspire unity and cooperation. Give us transformational leaders who can reach beyond partisanship and accomplish what is best for our nation.
Father in heaven, watch over our nation during the election time and beyond. Protect us from the schemes of the devil to disrupt peace and bring violence amongst ourselves. Cover us with the mighty blood of your Son, Jesus that no harm will come to us. We cancel and arrest every form of wickedness now in the name of Jesus. We superimpose Your divine purpose over and against the plans of the enemy. I decree and declare a double hedge of protection and firewall around our people. Let the leaders we choose prioritize our safety as citizens and aspire to rule in a way that’s pleasing to You. Let Your Holy Spirit guide us in our decision-making.
Glorious Father, I put this nation into Your able hands during this election season and beyond. Protect, guide and shield it from any wickedness and diabolical activities before, during and after election. Let us all accept the results and support the winning party. Help us work together as a nation to maintain harmony during this period. Give us peace. Leadership is a gift from You and I pray that You lead us to vote for the leader You have already chosen for us because Your Word says according to Daniel 2:21: And He changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.
Father God, I cry out to You! Please be with our nation during this time of decision. Bless the Bahamas and keep it strong. Help us to remember the things we have in common, and not just our differences. Let us be our brother’s and sister’s keeper. Let there be revival in our country, bringing us closer to You and to each other. As King David wrote, the nation whose God is the Lord is blessed. Please be the Lord over this nation above all else. Protect our people, guide our steps, and strengthen us through this season. Your Word says to be anxious for nothing, but in everything to come to You; I ask that you provide peace and comfort to the worried hearts of this country right now.
God, we thank You that You have the whole world in Your hands. We need not fear because You are the best manager, orchestrator and caretaker. We stand on Your Word, that our times are in Your hands (Ps. 31:15). You made it all. I believe in Your divine plan for our lives, for this nation. Father, we commit the elections totally into Your hands and we trust You. Let this nation turn to You, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Let REVIVAL fire sweep over this land and let our nation turn back to You in repentance. Father we yield to Divine Providence and Your Sovereign will for our Bahamas. Let Your will be done. Father God, continue to bless our beloved Bahamaland. In Jesus’ Mighty Name.
Interceding for our nation,
Jewel Edwards
(EDITOR’S NOTE: As a devout Roman Catholic, from my baptism in Saint Rita’s Roman Catholic Church at Stanyard Creek, Andros, I grew up with an enduring belief in The Holy Trinity, Three Gods I One: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
I do not know Jewel Edwards personally, nor do I know what specific church she attends, but obviously she and I share a deep and abiding faith in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Hence, I decided to do a search on the Internet to find out who was the author of this powerful prayer.
According to an article in BAHAMAS PRESS on August 15, 2018, Jewel Edwards is a respected corporate executive, business consultant, motivational speaker and transformational leader. Passionate about excellence, empowerment, and service, she is a native of Eleuthera, Bahamas, who began her career as a Hospitality Executive in Tourism, working in various capacities as Director of Sales & Marketing, Human Resources Director, and Operations Manager with Starwood, Sheraton, ACCOR , Westin, Choice, Enchantment and IHG hotel groups.”
