Locals flock to National Day of Prayer in Bloemfontein

“IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land…”

Thousands gathered in Bloemfontein over the weekend with this verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14 embedded firmly in their hearts and minds as they took part in the ‘It’s Time’ National Day of Prayer, orchestrated by prominent and internationally acclaimed evangelist, Angus Buchan, at Wilde Als Farm.

The prayer service, which had been scheduled to start at 12pm, was somewhat delayed as organisers allowed time for those who were stuck in traffic to make it to the monumental gathering.

YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ: Blessings abound for the Buurtwag

AND: ‘Pray for rain’

“We are tired of people taking the law into their own hands,” stated Buchan in a press release on social media prior to the event. “We are going to call upon the Lord to bring justice‚ peace and hope to our beloved South Africa,” and, subsequently, thousands came together on Saturday to add their voices to this call to the Almighty, travelling from all over the country, approximately 300 Vryheid residents included.

Local believer and man of faith, Dirk Koekemoer was among the Vryheid attendants and, having organised a bus to transport other locals to the mass prayer gathering, roughly eight hours away from Vryheid, shared the following message on Sunday with those who took part, “Good evening to everyone who took part in our ‘It’s Time’ trip to Bloemfontein and to everyone who made it possible, also to everyone who attended the gathering. The uncomfortable seats in the bus and the sacrifices made by each one was absolutely worth it when you see the change in our hearts that the Lord made. Remember, ‘Can a nation be changed in one day?’ Yes, only if what we received yesterday will become a new lifestyle and not something that lies dormant in our hearts.”

“The real hero of yesterday is our Lord Jesus Christ,” he added. “To Him all the glory.”

“See you again in a newly reborn and ever hopeful South Africa,” he concluded. “Blessings, Dirk.”

According to a report by IOL, Buchan stated, “Today we are witnessing history. History is in the making today. This gathering is a prayer meeting, it is not a gospel concert. It is not even an evangelistic outreach, it is a prayer meeting. We are going to pray together and as individuals,” he said. “This meeting is not about black or white, males or females, young or old – but this meeting is all about good and evil.”

Dirk Koekemoer described a spiritual moment that took place at the event, which stood out for him as proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit, “We bowed our heads and went on our knees in prayer,” he recalled, “and a small whirlwind swept through the area as we said ‘Amen’ which brought to mind the impression that God was collecting our prayers and taking them up to Heaven,” he said. “The presence of the Holy Spirit was strong,” he added. “Stronger than even the person kneeling next to you…”

Dirk describes the atmosphere on the bus during the trip back to Vryheid after the event as a “joyous spirit” with people experiencing a changed outlook on life. Leaving the event at about 7pm on Saturday night, locals arrived home at approximately 4am on Sunday morning.

Dirk also sent a message of thanks to all who made the trip possible by opening their hearts and their wallets.

In closing, he added, “Everybody wants to save the world, but charity begins at home. How can we expect the world to forgive if we can’t do it in our own lives?”