1960 was a special year in Africa and for Africans.
In the 60th year of the 20th century, Africa experienced the 60th chapter of the book of Isaiah:
“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. [2] For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. [3] The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. [4] “Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. [5] Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you” (Isaiah 60:1-5 NKJV)
Seventeen of the present 56 countries in Africa became independent in 1960. The 17 countries are Cameroon (January 1); Senegal (April 4); Togo (April 27); Madagascar (June 26); Congo Democratic Republic (June 30): Republic of the Congo (June 30), Somalia (July 1); Benin (August 1); Niger (August 3): Burkina Faso (August 5): Ivory Coast (August 7): Chad (August 11): Central African Republic (August 13): Gabon (August 17): Mali (September 22): Nigeria (October 1): and Mauritania (November 28):
Before 1960, Africa had only 9 independent countries:
Ethiopia (not colonized); Liberia (1847); Egypt (1922(; South Africa (1931); Sudan (1956); Tunisia (1956); Morocco (1956); Ghana (1957); and Guinea (1958). By the end of 1960, Africa had 26 independent countries. August 1960 was Africa’s best month of the year. Seven countries became independent in the 8th month of 1960: Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Chad, Central African Republic, and Gabon.
It seemed that Africa’s unspoken prayer in that year was Psalm 60:
Psalm 60:1-12 says, “O God, You have cast us off; You have broken us down; You have been displeased; Oh, restore us again! [2] You have made the earth tremble; You have broken it; Heal its breaches, for it is shaking. [3] You have shown Your people hard things; You have made us drink the wine of confusion. [4] You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah [5] That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me…. [11] Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. [12] Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies” (NKJV).
Year 2020 marks the 60th independence anniversary of the 17 African countries that attained nationhood in 1960. What does the 60th year look like for them? What is the experience of Africa in the 60th anniversary of her year of joy? Did Isaiah 60 play out again? I think it did. The year 2020 is a year Africa must do well to remember for three reasons.
1. It marked the 400th year of the arrival of African slaves in Jamestown. As it was for Israel in the land of Egypt, this 400th year is the ‘year of return’ for Africans scattered all over the world.
2. Deep darkness covered the earth and its people through the COVID-19 pandemic; and it was expected to hit Africa very hard; but the glory of the Lord rose over Africa for a covering as it did in 1960. As at August 6, 2020, there were 1,011,872 confirmed cases, 693,620 recoveries, 22,114 deaths, and 296,138 active cases – in the entire continent. This is far below the cases in North America, South America, Europe, or Asia.
3. The world gave attention to Africa following the death of George Floyd. Nations revisited the issues of savery and racism. The West recalled her sins against Africa. Repentance and recompense followed.
Isaiah 60:14-16 says, “Also the sons of those who afflicted you Shall come bowing to you, And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; And they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. [15] “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, So that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, A joy of many generations. [16] You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles, And milk the breast of kings; You shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob” (NKJV).
2020 is Africa’s year of awakening! Let us keep praying and declaring Psalms 60 and Isaiah 60 over Africa till the end of 2020.
AFRICA AND 2021
As Africa marks the 60th anniversary of her happiest year of liberation from foreign powers, it is important to look up and ahead. What will 2021 be like? The year 2021 is the end of the third seven years of the 21st century. I believe that God’s agenda for this had been to RESET platforms in and among nations, and in the church. The Lord is resetting systems on the seven mountains of society. He is dismantling dysfunctional veils and coverings to expose the hidden in and among continents, nations, institutions, organizations, businesses, communities, families, and even individuals. He is bringing down and taking off old platforms to replace them with emerging new ones. As on the third day of creation, the Lord is gathering the ‘hindering waters’ together in one place. He is calling the dry ground of this world to appear and bring forth vegetation (life and sustenance). The Lord is calling Africa (the hidden dry ground beneath the sea of the Western and Eastern world) to appear and take her place among the continents of the world. The Lord has ordained the emergence of Africa for this season but we need to pray and act. Psalm 61 would help us to pray for Africa as we also step forward in our seasons
Psalm 61:1-8 says, “Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. [2] From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. [3] For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. [4] I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah [5] For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. [6] You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many generations. [7] He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! [8] So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows.
Psalm 61 is a pattern for praying Africa’s 61st year – from 1960. The Psalm reveals three things about the coming year in Africa:
1. It is a season of lifting up voices and crying out to God against overwhelming burdens.
“Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. [2] From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. [3] For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
2. It is a season of vows
[4] I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah [5] For You, O God, have heard my vows… [8] So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows.
3. It is a season of celebrating answers to prayers and declaring God’s Word.
[5] For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. [6] You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many generations. [7] He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!
