NGABEZWENI, Eswatini | April 19, 2025 — His Majesty King Mswati III has called on citizens to keep him in their prayers, linking such spiritual support to the broader goal of maintaining peace and prosperity across the kingdom.
Addressing congregants during a men’s Easter prayer service held at Ngabezweni Royal Residence, the king stated that praying for the monarch is directly connected to praying for national peace. He urged religious leaders to guide their congregations in prayer for both the royal family and the country, describing peace as a vital foundation for development and well-being.
“Once peace is lost, it cannot easily be regained,” the king warned, expressing his concern that many nations now long for peace they once enjoyed but cannot restore. “That’s why it is important for us to hold onto the peace we have.”
The prayer gathering, attended by clergy from different parts of the country, centered around three major themes: spreading falsehoods, praying for kings, and the role of peace in national prosperity. Pastors Sambulo Simelane of Hlathikhulu, Musa Matsebula of Mbelebeleni, and Sitatanyiswa Dlamini of Mcengeni each delivered short sermons on the respective themes, drawing from the books of Hosea, Exodus, 1 Timothy, and Isaiah.
On the issue of misinformation, the king warned about the dangers of falsehoods and their potential to cause real harm. Using the biblical story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife, he urged citizens to learn to distinguish truth from lies and not to be misled by malicious information.
“Lies are not new; what matters is how we respond to them,” he said. “When you know the truth, you don’t fall for falsehood.”
The monarch also thanked the pastors for a surprise birthday song during the service, as he marked his birthday on the same day. He expressed appreciation to the church community for their continued prayers and support.
Bishop Samson Hlatjwako, President of the League of African Churches, expressed gratitude to the king for providing tents during the Easter services, which ensured safety and comfort for the faithful in Lobamba, Ludzidzini, and Ngabezweni.
He also commended the king for shifting the celebration of his birthday to April 25, saying it demonstrated a commitment to putting God first.
Prince Simelane, the king’s religious advisor, encouraged Emaswati to continue obeying the laws of the country and the teachings of the Bible as a means of preserving the peace currently enjoyed in the kingdom.
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