As you pray -19 September 2007

A notice by the ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) prompted me to request prayers for Radio Pulpit.

"JOHANNESBURG: The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa will conduct hearings into Radio Pulpit’s application for a community sound broadcasting licence. Radio Pulpit identifies itself as a non-profit religious broadcasting organisation which had been using SABC’s Radio 2000 transmitters (using an SABC licence) until 31 December 2006. Further, the station has been transmitting on the 657KHz frequency band in Gauteng Province.

The hearings are scheduled as follows:

Previously this Christian broadcaster enjoyed wide national coverage but new structures and regulations have come with radical limitations for the station. The outcome of tomorrow's meeting will be critical for the future of Radio Pulpit.

A journalist from Radio Khwezi reported on a function at Msinga today. Teachers from that area held their annual Prayer Day. Comments by the organiser, Mr Zondi, warmed my heart. He stated boldly that he is a born-again child of God. From previous days of prayer he testified of teachers who met Christ, got saved and had a wonderful influence on their pupils.

When Mr Zondi was asked what he thought of the new secular South African directives that prohibit prayer in public schools he responded that the rationale behind that was the diverse religious backgrounds of pupils, and in their region the majority identify with the Christian faith, so they have kept on praying.

The theme for the day was about teachers being the salt and light of the world, based on Matthew 5:13-15,

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."