5th WK – 12.05.24 – Science & Technology Gate – Guidelines & Strategic Prayer Points
This blog post is dedicated to my father, Dr. S.J.P.K. van Heerden who was the vice-chair of the 1st Scientific Advisory Council to the P.M. of S.A.
“Research, Discover & Invent” –
God revealed & expressed Himself in the Scriptures through relating to different fields of creation & our human existence on earth
Heb 11:3
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
Through the 7 weeks P@G, a 7-step strategy is rolled out to summit in week 7 for the
GOVERNMENTAL prayers. Weeks 5, 6 & 7 are sequential ending at the Governmental sphere!
We focus this week on the 5th Gate of the 7 Gates/Spheres of Society:
The 7 GATES : 1.Family 2. Belief 3. Economy 4. Education 5. Science & Technology 6. Media, Arts, Sports 7. Government & Culture
Strategic Prayer – Science & Technology Gate
“ How wonderful You have created this world, Oh God!”
STRATEGIC PRAYER POINTS SUMMARY:
Introduction : Grace – Scriptures on Creation & Definitions of S&T
1) THANKSGIVING for HIS GRACE upon our lives
2) PRAISE & ADORATION – to God our Creator
3) COMMUNION
4) CONTEXTUAL SCRIPTURES
5) IDENTIFICATIONAL REPENTANCE & PETITIONING PRAYERS
6) TOPICAL PRAYER ISSUES : Science & Technology (S & T)
7) DECLARATION – The Lord’s case for humanity…
8) OUR CASE for South Africa before the only true God, who is OUR God!
9) OWN DECLARATIONS / Words / Prophecies by the Holy Spirit
10) THANKSGIVING & PRAISE: Shofar blast in Worship of Him!
11) The Lord’s Prayer.
12) Thank you for Praying with us.
A. INTRODUCTION – Week 5 – No. 5 = GRACE
Week 5 – The number 5 in Scripture relates to “GRACE”. (see Zech 4:6-7)
Grace G5485: – Divine influence upon the heart, its reflections in life:- benefit, favour, gift, joy
It is also the number by which the whole Tabernacle was built on in multiples of the number 5.
It pertains to the hand through which work is done, anointing is transferred, ordained & blessed.
It pertains to the fivefold offices (apostle, prophets, evangelist, shepherd, teacher) of Christ’s ministry – to equip the church in this five-pillar structure of the ministries of officers, elders & leaders. (Eph4:11)
1) SCRIPTURES – DISCOVERING CREATION – Science & Technology
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge
Pro 2:3-6
(3) Yes, if you cry out for discernment, lift up your voice for understanding, (4)… And search for her as for hidden treasures.
(5) Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.
(6) For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Knowledge:
H1847, DA’ATH – cunning, know(ledge), [un-] awareness (wittingly)
H5234, NAKAR – to scrutinize, look intently, acknowledge, revere, respect, care for
H4093, MADDA – intelligence, consciousness.
H3045, YADA – to know; ascertain by seeing; observation, recognition, discover, comprehend, discover, discern, be diligent, be aware, consider, perceive, teach, have respect, be learned, understand, endued with, declare… [figuratively, literally, indirectly, inferentially (a guess/an opinion based on knowledge/info at hand)]
2) DISCOVERING CREATION through SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH:
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH and DISCOVERY of the greatness of God’s creation
This was of the first instructions God gave to man – helping us to “live this life & have our being” on earth; to know Him & His formidable love, salvation & redemption – returning to Him – for His glory!
THE WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE FROM and OF God should lead us TO God.
Luk 3:4-6
(4) Prepare the way of the Lord, make His beaten paths straight.
(6) And all mankind shall see (behold and understand and at last acknowledge) the salvation of God (the deliverance from eternal death decreed by God). [Isa 40:3-5]
UNFORTUNATELY, instead of following God’s lead & wisdom… man soon start to follow his own wisdom and defying that opportunity to experience the wonders of creation 1st hand, exchanging through sin for struggling with the challenges of living life in a fallen world.
BUT GOD…!!!:- Made a way for us to re-discover the WONDERS of this world that He created for us, to steward, cherish, respect, and enjoy… FOR the purpose of the honor of His Name!
Col 2:2-3
[knowledge: G1108, GNOSIS – knowing, science, be resolved, can speak, be sure, resolved]
(2) that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
(3) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
MIRACLES AND SCIENCE are both workings of God.
The one where man are witnessing the miracles of God through His works & wonders, and the other where man inspect & discover the wisdom of God to apply into inventions & ingenuity what God has created from the very start of all things in existence.
3) Definitions: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY = DISCOVERIES & INVENTIONS
“SCIENCE explores new knowledge methodically through observation & experimentation.”
and “TECHNOLOGY is the application of scientific knowledge for various purposes.” (1)
“From the beginning, God encouraged the scientific exploration of the world when He
commanded us to rule over and subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28).
Scripture speaks of the fixed nature of the universe that makes scientific discovery possible (Jeremiah 31:35-36; Colossians 1:17).”
DEFINITIONS of SCIENCE:
- Science is the STUDY of the NATURE and BEHAVIOUR of natural things and the knowledge that we obtain about them. The best discoveries in science are very simple.
- Science CONSISTS of OBSERVING the world by watching, listening, and recording. Science is curiosity in thoughtful action about the world and how it behaves. Anyone can think like a scientist. (2)
- A SYSTEM of KNOWLEDGE about the physical, chemical, and biological universe and the things that occur in it is called science. It is an objective observation…
- 10 types of scientists: business, communicator, developer, entrepreneur, explorer, investigator, policy, regulator, teacher, technician. (ref. science council)
DEFINITIONS OF TECHNOLOGY:
- TECHNOLOGY : “is a tool that helps us live out our God-given callings… this is most important for us to learn as we engage the topic of technology and artificial intelligence.
Scripture shows that technology and tools can be used for both good and evil. Even if a tool was designed for evil, the tool itself isn’t evil.” (3)
“What is sinful isn’t the sword but how people choose to use it.”
- TECHNOLOGY is the practical application of scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems and improve human welfare. (4)
- DIFFERENT TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY: each with unique functions that aim to make certain processes more efficient. (5)
- TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY include mechanical technology, medical technology, communications technology, electronic technology, and industrial and manufacturing technologies… All serve different purposes, range in design, and are applied in different ways, they all have one thing in common: they all solve a problem. (6)
B. PREPARATION GUIDELINES.
Please refer to PREPARATION DOC. of Week 1– (PREP)
C. STRATEGIC PRAYER POINTS:
NB: Where Israel is mentioned in Scripture (NT), it mostly refers to the believers who have become part of the “commonwealth of Israel” – as we have been grafted in by our salvation & faith in Christ.
There is no more division as we are now all part of the New Covenant through the perfect redemption that Christ attained for us through the shedding of His Blood & entrance through the veil into the Holiest Presence of God, where He is now seated at the right hand of God interceding for us…
(Gal3:10-14-19,-24-26-29; Rom11, 15:8-13, Hebr.8, 9, Rev5:9-10, 7:9,17)
1) THANKSGIVING for HIS GRACE upon our lives
Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence, godly fear.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need.
2Co 8:7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence,
and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
Zec 4:6-7
(6) So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.
(7) (Ampl) For who are you, O great mountain [of human obstacles]? …you shall become a plain [a mere molehill]! And he shall bring forth the finishing gable stone [of the new temple] with loud shoutings of the people, crying, Grace, grace to it!
2) PRAISE & ADORATION – to God our Creator
Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Col 3:10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
Rev 4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power.
For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
3) COMMUNION
– He has redeemed us to the original sonship position – of whom He is the 1st fruit-an offering through the Blood of the perfect Lamb.
Personal time of Repentance:
2Co 7:1 THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.
1Ti 6:11 But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart.
Job 4:6 Is not your [reverent] fear of God your confidence, and the integrity and uprightness of your ways your hope?
4) CONTEXTUAL SCRIPTURES:
Gen 1:26-31
(27) So God created man in His own image; …male and female He created them.
(28) Then God blessed them…”Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish…, over the birds…, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
(29) “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed…, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. (30) to every beast… I have given every green herb for food”…31) Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.
Psa 8:3-9
(3) When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
(4) What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
(5) You made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor. (6) You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,
(7) All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field,
(8) The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.
(9) O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!
5) IDENTIFICATIONAL REPENTANCE & PETITIONING PRAYERS
Jer 42:10 ‘If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you.
a) Prayers of REPENTANCE:
• Father, we ask forgiveness for all the negativity, hopelessness & unbelieve we speak out as we witness the mayhem in society; the heartache & brokenness in your creation…we trust…
• We come in repentance for neglecting to preserve & care for that which You have entrusted to us & pray that God will bring the people of this nation to repent for their sins…
• We pray for a return to God – that all flesh will hear Your voice, & flee from wicked ways…
• We repent for the abominations of gender, abortion, & sexual perversions…
b) PETITIONING prayer for the transformation & redemption of S.A. to become a SAFE HAVEN & a BLESSED DIADEM… to the GLORY of God:
• Pray that the ways & precepts of God will be RECEIVED as Godly counsel by our nation’s leaders – instead of following their own wisdom, traditions & ways of the flesh…
• Pray that the miracle power of God will become evidential – that people will start to believe as God perform His signs & wonders as evidence to the preaching of the gospel.
• Pray that God will build this nation up again, to be able to function as a blessed nation dedicated to the call & purposes of God yielding to His truth, wisdom & knowledge.
• Pray that we will not be put to shame any longer – allowing heathens to trample on God’s glory & name, asking – “Where is the God of the Christians?”
• Pray that Father will grant S.A. to step into this NATION’S end-time mandate as a SHEEP nation to fulfil all – “every good work” – that God has destined for us from the beginning of time
6) TOPICAL PRAYER ISSUES : Science & Technology (S & T)
Heb 4:12-13
(12) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(13) And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Only a few topics of concern here mentioned to address in prayer:-
a) RESPECT FOR LIFE:
Life is in the blood…human life to be seen as sacred.
- S&T to be used to benefit humans & nature – not to harm either.
- Human safety, surveillance & protection.
b) CLIMATE CHANGE:
- Science to be used to address this effectively providing a sustainable environment.
- SA / World scientists/academics working together to bring wisdom & solutions not domination, control, fear & destruction through AI involvement in the biodiversity of species, genetics & the ecosystem, especially in weather patterns.
c) AGRICULTURE/NATURE:
Isa 40:24-26 & Gen 1:11-12 / Job26 & 28
- S&T to remove harmful elements from GMO products for humans & nature.
- S&T to provide healthy sustainable production of food sources v causing scarcity.
- S&T to be effectively used for markets, trade, export(harbours) & transport.
d) AI & TECHNOLOGY:
Dan12:4, Gen11:6, 2Chro26:15, 1Co6:12, 10:31, Mat24:14, Ex31:1-5, Eph 2:10.
- Artificial Intelligence: (AI) to be managed by humans, NOT humans managed by AI/T.
- Gov. to enforce laws to protect us from risks re. A.I.
- Syber security
- Scientific fraud
e) DATA PRIVACY:
- Misuse of personal date records & info of people & institutions by Gov’s, Financial institutions.
- Consumer privacy / fraudulent misuse of personal
- Relational challenges through diabolic use of technology & harmful information capabilities
f) SOCIAL MEDIA:
- S&T to protect us from the harm caused by SOCIAL MEDIA influencing/ruling people’s lives.
- Utter distortion of factual information & confusion caused by “mixing up” of information
g) WORKPLACE – JOB CREATION / DISPLACEMENT:
Gen2:2, 5, Ex35:2, 1Ch20:3, 22:15
- Addressing the loss of jobs due to making use of machines instead of humans. 2Th3:10,12
- Health & Safety compromised by unethical use of technology.
h) MEDICAL field – S&T
Psa 139:13-17, Jer 1:4-12, Isa 44:21, Mar 10:51-52, Mar 16:17-18
- Redeemed by Godly intervention for ethical & sustainable healthcare.
- Ethical dilemmas, patient rights, privacy issues in emerging technologies.
- 3-D printing of human organs.
- Safety & integrity – Emergency services
i) PHARMACEUTICAL Industry:
- Scientific research, manufacturing, distribution integrity.
- Sustainable provision of core services & medicines.
j) ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION/INFRASTRUCTURE:
– maintaining of safety regulations & integrity
Psa 127:1, Jer 31:35-39, Isa 62:10, Isa 65:21-22, 1Ch20:3, 22:15, 23:4
k) MANUFACTURING & SUSTAINABILITY:
– all spheres of society. Psa 104:1-13
l) NATIONAL SECURITY:
- compromised AI surveillance & spyware
- escalation of crime through use of AI technology
7) DECLARATION – The Lord’s case for humanity… (Read aloud)
• Pray for God’s divine interventions in the affairs of humanity…
Isa 45:11-14 !
(11) Thus says the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: “Ask Me of things to come
concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.
(12) I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And
all their host I have commanded.
(13) I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city…
(14) …men of stature, Shall come over to you, …They will make supplication to you, saying,
‘Surely God is in you, And there is no other; There is no other God.’ “
• Pray for Godly wisdom & the fear of God to direct our steps as we draw to Him who created all things…
Isa 45:18-25 !
(18) For thus says the LORD,
Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.
(19) I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
(20) “Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together,
8) OUR CASE for South Africa before the only true God, who is OUR God!
Isa 45:18-25 (continue)
(21) Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD?
And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.
(22) “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! / SOUTH AFRICA!!!
For I am God, and there is no other.
(23) I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness,
And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.
(24) He shall say, ‘Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength.
• Let us have faith & PRAY that:
(25) In the LORD all the descendants of Israel/SOUTH AFRICA Shall be justified, and shall glory.”
9) OWN DECLARATIONS / Words / Prophecies by the Holy Spirit
Psa 85:12-13 Thank You, Lord that we know….
(12) Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase.
(13) Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.
Isaiah 40:28-31 – The Last Blessing
(28) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
(29) He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
(31) …those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
10) THANKSGIVING & PRAISE: Shofar blast in Worship of Him!
Psa 47:4-9
(4) He will choose our inheritance for us, The excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah
(5) God has gone up with a shout, The LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
(6) Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
(7) For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.
(8) God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.
(9) The princes of the people have gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
11) The Lord’s Prayer
12) Thank you for Praying with us!
Hallelujah! A thousand praises to Him, the Lord! The only true God & Saviour of the world!
Appendix A – Citation & References:
SECTION 3
Definitions of SCIENCE:
(1) https://byjus.com/physics/difference-between-science-and-technology/#:
(2) https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/science/en/
Definitions of TECHNOLOGY:
(3) https://jasonthacker.com/category/technology/. (4) http://www.founderjar.com>what-is-technology
(5) https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/types-of-technology
(6) https://study.com/academy/course/sciencefusion-intro-to-science-technology-online-textbook-help.html
SCRIPTURES references on Science & Technology:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/science_and_faith
https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-science/
https://biblegen.com/technology/
https://www.joyfulexile.com/verses/technology/kjv
See post on Blog Post 62 fro more SCRIPTURE references