As God demonstrated in the life of Saul of Tarsus, anyone can become a great spokesperson for Christ. Such has been the case with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda. Behind the scenes many have been praying for him—especially his wife (a devout and dedicated believer), his children, fellow Ugandans, and many others around the world. In a nationally televised prayer gathering in October 2012, God answered those prayers as President Museveni dedicated to God the country of Uganda—this country that has endured decades of government mismanagement, rebel activity, and civil war.

Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending that despot’s rule in 1979. Museveni also participated in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985. Now as president, Museveni has brought relative stability and economic growth throughout his country—with the notable exception of northern areas. His tenure has also witnessed one of the most effective national responses to HIV/AIDS in Africa.

In October 2012, the Uganda Jubilee Network—an association of Anglican, evangelical, and Pentecostal churches—organized a “Jubilee Prayer Night.” This network, coordinated by Dr. James Magara of Intercessors for Uganda, has been guiding Christians to fast and pray for Uganda to be a God-fearing nation in the next 50 years.

And in that historic televised prayer gathering, President Museveni repented for his sins and the sins of Uganda as a nation. He dedicated Uganda to God to be His nation anchored in His principles and values. The president, indicating that the next 50 years belong to the young generation, advised the young people to be God-fearing people, and he referred to Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Museveni began his prayer with thanks, then declared his intention to make a firm break with the past: “Father God in heaven, today we stand here as Ugandans, to thank you for Uganda. We are proud that we are Ugandans and Africans. We thank You for all Your goodness to us.

“I stand here today to close the evil past, and especially in the last 50 years of our national leadership history, and at the threshold of a new dispensation in the life of this nation. I stand here on my own behalf and on behalf of my predecessors to repent. We ask for Your forgiveness,” Museveni said. “We confess these sins, which have greatly hampered our national cohesion and delayed our political, social, and economic transformation.”

Next, President Museveni acknowledged sinful activity: “We confess sins of idolatry and witchcraft which are rampant in our land. We confess sins of shedding innocent blood, sins of political hypocrisy, dishonesty, intrigue and betrayal.

“Forgive us of sins of pride, tribalism, and sectarianism; sins of laziness, indifference, and irresponsibility; sins of corruption and bribery that have eroded our national resources; sins of sexual immorality, drunkenness, and debauchery; sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, and revenge; sins of injustice, oppression, and exploitation; sins of rebellion, insubordination, strife, and conflict.”

The president then asked God for a new beginning: “These sins and many others have characterized our past leadership, especially the last 50 years of our history. Lord, forgive us and give us a new beginning. Give us a heart to love You, to fear You, and to seek You. Take away from us all the above sins.”

In closing, Museveni dedicated Uganda to God: “We want to dedicate this nation to You so that You will be our God and guide. We want Uganda to be known as a nation that fears God and as a nation whose foundations are firmly rooted in righteousness and justice to fulfill what the Bible says in Psalm 33:12: ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; a people you have chosen as your own.’”

–Taken from International Prayer Connections

Prayer Connect magazine