Rob Macaire

UK AND KENYA – NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST

I have just been to the National Prayer Breakfast here in Nairobi.   I found it impressive, not least because the Guest Speaker, President Kagame, had some powerful words to the Kenyan leaders and people about the process of national healing and how to avoid what had happened in Rwanda.  He said that failed states were a reflection of failed leadership, and pointed out that the people of Kenya could not afford to fail.   He read movingly from the Old Testament story of Solomon, who asked God only for wisdom and knowledge.  President Kagame suggested that it was when leaders failed to make a concerted effort to seek wisdom and knowledge that states risked failure. 

I also found it encouraging that MPs from across the political divide, and the top political leadership who were present, all stressed the need for leaders and people to rise above political, religious or ethnic divisions.  There were representatives from about twenty countries there this morning, many of whom have their own annual Prayer Breakfasts (the current chairs of the US and UK ones, from the US Senate and the House of Lords respectively, were present).   Every country faces its challenges, and these events are important occasions for political leaders to reflect on the moral and spiritual underpinnings of our societies – whatever religious background people come from.

Meanwhile many people will have been following political developments in the UK over MPs' expenses.  There have been some questions on this blog about it. Clearly the recent disclosures have raised important issues.  Our Prime Minister, and other political leaders, have all said that there must be reform of the system.   The Government, parties and MPs are working hard to address the concerns that have rightly been raised.  I am sure that there will be more discussion of this over coming months - there has alread been some lively comment in the Kenyan press, certainly!  

Rob

Posted at 07:18 29 May 2009 by Rob Macaire  |  Comments[1]