The challenge
Across Africa, videos of Africa youth prayer by young people praying with tremendous physical intensity regularly attract ridicule. Critics ask: How will these prayers build factories or create jobs? The questions sound clever. But they may be aimed at the wrong people.
The mandate
Most of those young people did not gather to prepare a national development plan. They may be seeking hope, direction or relief through Africa youth prayer. We can examine religious practices critically without transferring responsibility for failed public systems away from those entrusted with authority and resources.
The other extreme
But defending the youth is not the same as romanticising every prayer meeting. Prayer becomes harmful when it replaces learning, planning or disciplined work. Students must study. Entrepreneurs must serve customers. Leaders must lead. Faith must not become an escape from responsibility.
The process
In the Purpose Compass eight-step creative thinking process, prayer is step three: asking for ideas, answers or solutions. It is not all eight steps. Recognition, desire, visualisation, belief, receiving insight, gratitude, planning and execution form the wider process.
Tree to table
Imagine praying for a beautiful table. What you receive may first be a tree: a resource, an idea or an opportunity. Between the tree and the table are design, measurement, tools, skill, labour, correction and persistence. A blessing does not abolish the work.
Nehemiah
Consider Nehemiah.
He prayed for favour, but he also assessed the situation.
He approached authority, secured resources, organised people and led the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall.
This Africa youth prayer shows that prayer and action were not competing alternatives.
He prayed—and then he led.
The conclusion
So let the youth pray. But let prayer mature into reflection, competence, responsibility and productive action. And let us stop transferring the mandate of those entrusted with governing, to the people they were elected to serve. Again, Prayer is step three. Development requires that we complete the eight-step process.
