‘Unhappy’ Botswana looks to God for healing

Intensified national prayer against HIV/ AIDS, Covid-19, and Non-Communicable Diseases begins today (Wednesday).

This follows the launch of the National Month of Prayer on Sunday under the theme, ‘God’s Grace is Sufficient, He Restores All.’ The Church, says Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) President Dr. Tebogo Motlhagodi, has an important role of taking an aerial view of the needs of the nation to bring them before God for divine intervention. Dr Motlhagodi says it is critical that as the nation continues to engage in the fight against HIV, Covid-19, and other national challenges, “we” get to a replenishing point where the nation asks God for wisdom, health and protection because God is the one who sustains life.

“When the Israelites won their battle against the Philistines, it was because there was someone praying for them. They had God’s backing,” he says, adding that for Botswana to win against all challenges, the nation needs to pray. While the nation has been observing the month of prayer every year in September, this time around, things will be different. There will be no public gatherings in Kgotlas but in churches where only 50 people will be allowed as per Covid-19 protocols.

Dr Motlhagodi, therefore, encourages churches to find ways within the stipulated regulations to pray. “Even at the family level, it is important for individuals to pray,” he says.

Beyond praying against HIV/AIDS, Covid-19, and other diseases, the nation will have an opportunity to pray for the leadership of the country and its economic situation.

“Right now Batswana are not happy about many things, but when we pray God can restore peace and give solutions,” Dr. Motlhagodi says, citing the Bible, which exhorts that political leaders be prayed for, as well as the economic situation of the country. Botswana Council of Churches Chairman Metlhayotlhe Beleme says their organisation has always been part of the national prayers in the month of September.

They attach great importance to the national prayer because they believe prayer goes a long way when dealing with situations beyond human control. “When the church of God stands up to pray, God will provide direction and guidance as to how we should proceed,” Beleme says.

He notes that Covid-19 has also presented new challenges to the way the national prayers have been conducted in the past because now, people will not be allowed to meet physically for prayers in public places. “We encourage all people to find time every day of this month in their particular spaces to pray,” he appeals. When launching the national month of prayer, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Kabo Morwaeng said the nation of Botswana’s faith in God is deep-rooted. He said it is in this spirit that, once again, the nation unites in prayer for God to bring healing and comfort to all. According to Morwaeng, during this month, the nation will be expected to pray for the fight against Covid-19 and Non-Communicable Diseases, which present additional health burdens to the nation. “It is especially regrettable what Covid-19 has caused, and continues to do, in and amongst all our families and societies. “We have unfortunately lost a lot of loved ones, and the continuing spread of the virus weighs heavily on both the nation’s physical and mental health,” the Minister said. Botswana’s faith community, under the facilitation of the Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Programme (BOCAIP), was one of the critical stakeholders in the HIV response and through its efforts, September of every year became the Month of Prayer commencing some 25 years ago.

Currently, there are an estimated 370,000 people living with HIV, with 8,500 new HIV infections and 4,000 AIDS-related deaths annually.

As far as Covid-19 is concerned, this week, the Presidential Covid-19 Task Force reported that a total of 156,927 people had been infected with Covid-19. Tragically, 2,261 succumbed to the disease and associated complications.

Statistics show that Non-Communicable Diseases, which include cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, are some of the leading contemporary causes of death. The latest statistics indicate that they account for 46 per cent of all deaths in Botswana.

Of these deaths, 18 percent were due to cardiovascular diseases, seven percent cancer, four percent chronic respiratory diseases, whilst six percent were due to diabetes.

This year’s month of prayer is hosted by the Pitsane community.