The "I" Must Die

Prayer Material

Our nature and what we think is best for South Africa may seem harmless and good, but the Bible says only God is good. When the axe is laid to the root, and we allow God to prune us, we will bear much fruit, and He will move in South Africa.

“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:2 (NLT)

Pray The Word

For South Africa to become a God-fearing nation, we must lay our lives down so Christ can live in and through us. Here are Bible verses that will help us in this process.

Father, help us decrease so that You increase in South Africa. (John 3:30)
Lord Jesus, we have been crucified with You, so it is no longer us who live, but You who lives in us. And the life we now live in the flesh, we live by faith in You, who loved us and gave Yourself for us. (Galatians 2:20)
Lord, thank You that when we submit to You and resist the devil, he will flee from us and our nation. (James 4:7)
Lord, we reckon ourselves to be dead to sin but alive to You. (Romans 6:11)
Father, we ask that You lay the axe to the root in our lives and in South Africa and remove everything that is not of You. Prune us so that we can bear much fruit for You. (Matthew 3:10; John 15:2)
We do not lie to one another since we have put off the old man with his deeds. (Colossians 3:8-9)
Jesus, thank You that we are a new creation in You and old things have passed away, and all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. Thank You that we are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ, we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with Him. (Romans 6:6-8)
Lord, help us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow You so that we can be Your ambassadors in South Africa. (Luke 9:23)
Jesus, we choose to lose our lives for Your sake so that we may gain Your life. (Luke 9:24)
Lord, we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to You, which is our reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
Lord, whatever we do, we will do it all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Father, we will not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing our minds so that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)
Thank You, Lord, that we have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Our new life will last forever because it comes from Your eternal Word. (1 Peter 1:23)
Lord, we will not sow to our flesh, which reaps corruption, but we will sow to the Spirit, which reaps everlasting life. (Galatians 6:8)
Father, thank You that we are Yours and have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)
Jesus, thank You that You bore our sins in Your own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by Your stripes we were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
Lord, help us know that we are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in us. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Father, we ask that You give us one heart and put a new spirit within us, and take the stony heart out of our flesh, and give us a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19)
We look to You, Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before You, endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Week 1

1. Chop and Change

Conditions in South Africa will shift when our hearts change because then God can move. The Bible says the axe is laid against the root. We must ask God to lay the axe to the root (Matthew 3:10) and cut down everything that is not of Him - our ideas, principles, knowledge, plans, and identity.

“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:2 (NLT)

2. Die to Self

We cannot do it by ourselves. We must ask Jesus, “Lord, deal with this tree. Lay the axe to the roots and prune us.” He will reveal to us our attitudes and thoughts that are in opposition to the Kingdom.

If we want to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection, which Paul spoke of in Philippians 3:10, we must be prepared to lose our old life.

PRAY: Lord, we pray that South Africa will know You. We choose to lay down our old life to experience the power of Your resurrection in our lives.

3. The “I” Must Die

Death to self isn’t pleasant, but it’s the price we need to pay if we want God’s purpose to prevail in our lives and nation. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was sweating blood, but He was willing to pay the price to save the world. Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me, but not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). We must not be afraid to pay the price and die to self. If we pay the price, South Africa will see the glory of God.

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)

4. Pray for South Africa

Set time aside and pray that South Africa will lay everything down.

Week 2

1. Break Through

We want revival in South Africa, but first, we must be broken. We must go through the brokenness. Jesus says, “Come to the Cross. I invite you to the Cross. I ask you to come and lay down your life.” We aren’t joining a club but offering our lives as living sacrifices to God. God dwells with the weak, the humble and contrite spirit. He revives broken hearts for revival. Are we broken? Are we humble?

For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15 (NKJV)

2. Cross it Out

South Africa will walk in power and victory when we as a nation embrace the Cross. Only then is our old nature crossed out.

When we cling to the Cross, our old nature dies, and we receive the power of God to walk this walk, to change lives around us and our country.

PRAY: Lord, we choose to hang onto the Cross, to let go of our self-life, and have a humble and contrite spirit. Amen.

3. The “I” Must Die

God said, “I choose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; the weak to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Many think South Africa is foolish and weak, but God has plans for revival in this nation. God can use any nation to accomplish His goals. He will use us if we allow Him to take control.

The disciples waited in the Upper Room until the Holy Spirit came down – they needed His power. We can do nothing of ourselves. We don’t have the ability, but God empowers us. Peter and James understood this when they said to the lame man, “We don’t have silver and gold, but we have...” Do you know where it comes from? It comes from spending time in the presence of God and in the Word of God.

“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” Luke 5:16 (ESV)

4. Pray for South Africa

Set time aside and pray that South Africa will lay everything down.

Week 3

1. Perishing Plans

The Bible says the outward man is perishing, but the inward man is renewed daily—the real you. Sin is missing the mark, God’s plan for our lives, and God’s destiny for South Africa. When we pursue our dreams, thoughts and ideas instead of pursuing God, things don’t work out and then we blame everyone, except ourselves. It’s time to change our focus and say, “Jesus, we repent; we were deceived.” Our journey is finding Jesus. The sooner we find Him, the sooner we find His purpose for us and South Africa.

“For I know what I have planned for you,” says the Lord. “I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NET)

2. Afraid of Nothing

We live in a society where we subconsciously want what others have. The moment we get it, it’s empty, meaningless—because God isn’t in the material things.

One of the greatest fears people have is to end up with nothing. Do we know that everything South Africa needs is in Jesus? The potential in Him is far greater than searching for security in the things of this world.

PRAY: Lord, we repent and ask Your forgiveness for thinking the world has more to offer than You do. Thank You that You have great plans for us, our families and our country. Amen.

3. The “I” Must Die

Many forget how powerful the spiritual realm is. We are not in South Africa to be a political force. We are not here to give our opinions. We are here to bring a word to the nation. We must continue to pray, seek God for our nation, and not become discouraged even if change doesn’t happen immediately.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving…” Colossians 4:2 (KJV)

4. Pray for South Africa

Set time aside and pray that South Africa will lay everything down.

Week 4

1. Difficulty Dying

The eye of the needle is a figure of speech Jesus used to illustrate the extreme difficulty for the self-sufficient to enter the Kingdom of God. The Bible says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” It doesn’t mean we should be poor; it’s about death-to-self, dependence on Jesus—going through the eye of the needle.

God trusts our new nature—the life of Christ in us—with material and spiritual blessings. Jesus challenged the rich, young ruler to sell all his possessions because it had a hold on him. If we want South Africa blessed, we must let go of everything that is holding us back.

“Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24 (ESV)

2. Pins and Needles

The camel is stripped of its burdens to pass through the gate (needle). What are these burdens? It’s our self-nature. What unnecessary burdens are we carrying?

How does God take the camel through what appears to be impossible? The way through is in humility, to be nothing. If we empty ourselves of our self-life and become totally reliant on God, He will come through for South Africa.

PRAY: Lord, please strip us of wrong burdens so we may become dependent on You. Amen.

3. The “I” Must Die

When we face severe challenges and crises in our nation, we must look to the Rock. Our sufficiency cannot compare to His grace, which is more than enough. Our strivings cannot compare to His power in our lives. What’s happening in South Africa and the world is beyond our ability to fix. Only God can do it.

The Church is called to be a people sensitive to the Holy Spirit and in constant prayer. Paul prayed day and night. In prayer, we will see our nation changed by faith.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

4. Pray for South Africa

Set time aside and pray that South Africa will lay everything down.

Week 5

1. Go Below

Pride gives a false sense of security that stems from depending on our resources, strengths, and abilities. Pride takes us, as individuals and a country, away from God’s supernatural help, provision, and sustenance. When we let go of pride and submit to God, South Africa will be under God’s authority and protection, and then He will fight the battles for us. God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble; therefore, we must submit to God (James 4:6-8).

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:6-8 (NASB)

2. Go Towards the Light

Even though we are in a difficult time, God wants to shine His light in South Africa.

Nobody likes going through the Cross and the pain, but Jesus did it and He said, “Follow Me.” And on the third day, He was resurrected.

Are we willing to give our lives to God to see His resurrection power in South Africa?

PRAY: Lord, we will follow You to the Cross, give our lives to You, so that Your resurrection power will displayed in us and in South Africa. Amen.

3. The “I” Must Die

There is power in prayer and fasting. That is why we pray and fast for revival in South Africa. We must be mindful, however, that when revival comes, we don’t become prideful, thinking we did it. It isn’t us; it is God. It’s His glory that will change our nation and the world.

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)

4. Pray for South Africa

Set time aside and pray that South Africa will lay everything down.