Nelson Mandela: Archbishop Thabo Makgoba prays at his bedside as he remains in critical condition [FULL PRAYER]
Vigils are being held as Nelson Mandela's health remains in critical condition on Wednesday.
The 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero is currently hospitalized at a hospital in Pretoria.
On Tuesday evening, South Africa's government issued a statement regarding Mandela's health: "Former President Nelson Mandela's condition remains unchanged in hospital and doctors continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being and comfort."
The Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba reportedly prayed with his family at his bedside on Tuesday.
"Fill them with your holy courage and the gift of trusting faith, and take away their fears so that they may dare to face their grief," Archbishop Makgoba said at Mandela's bedside, according to his website. "Guide the medical staff so that they may know how to use their skills wisely and well, in caring for Madiba and keeping him comfortable. And uphold all of us with your steadfast love so that we may be filled with gratitude for all the good that he has done for us and for our nation, and may honor his legacy through our lives." Madiba is the tribal name for Mandela.
Well-wishers lined up the streets to the hospital's entrance, where Mandela has been staying since June 8 for a recurring lung infection. Crowds held up signs that read "we need you" and "we love you."
Mandela is just shy of his 95th birthday next month.
He is an international icon who has defined democracy in South Africa and was imprisoned for 27 years in his fight against apartheid in the country.
He was elected the first black president of South Africa in 1994.
Mandela's last public appearance was at the World Cup in 2010.
See below for the full prayer by Archbishop Tabo Makgoba for Nelson Mandela posted on his website.
Scripture says that Rachel wept for the loss of her children and could not be consoled. Yet it also tells us that you, Lord Jesus, who wept at the death of your dear friend Lazarus, promise to be with us, and to stay with us, to the end of time.
Thank you that you who have walked the long valley of the shadow will never forsake us, neither in life nor in death – and your everlasting arms embrace us always, in this life and the life to come.
Make your compassionate and strengthening presence known to Graça, and to all who love Madiba, at this hard time of watching and waiting. Fill them with your holy courage and the gift of trusting faith, and take away their fears so that they may dare to face their grief and bring it to your presence. May they know the truth of your promise that 'blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.'
Guide the medical staff so that they may know how to use their skills wisely and well, in caring for Madiba and keeping him comfortable. And uphold all of us with your steadfast love so that we may be filled with gratitude for all the good that he has done for us and for our nation, and may honour his legacy through our lives.
And so we bring our prayers to you:
Lord Jesus Christ, you are a God who knows vulnerability, weakness and frailty,
You are Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Lord of life and death,
Your power sustains us in life and death.
May your arms of love, stretched wide on the cross for us,
Now enfold Madiba, and Graça, with compassion, comfort and
the conviction that you will never forsake them but that
you will grant Madiba eternal healing and relief from pain and suffering.
And may your blessing rest upon Madiba now and always. Grant him, we pray, a quiet night and a peaceful, perfect, end.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
