Zimbabwe today is a land of electoral confusion, political violence, economic meltdown, ravaged by hunger and HIV.
The list of prayer needs is as lengthy as the noughts on the country’s inflation figures.
All of which underscores the importance of this Sunday - World Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe.
Christians of every denomination in every nation are being called upon to focus their prayers – in churches, halls, homes or elsewhere – on the country’s critical situation.
The prayer of the organisers is to rescue Zimbabwe from violence, election fraud, oppression and corruption, and to bring about peace, compassion, honesty, justice, democracy and freedom from fear and want.
Bob Stumbles, from the Anglican Diocese of Harare, said, `May a continual strong stream of prayer and supplication flow up to the Lord on behalf of all the people on this day of prayer, exhorting his divine intervention throughout the nation.’
Bob draws on the Bible to encourage the people of Zimbabwe.
- `Whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.’ (Proverbs 29:25)
- `Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’ (Galatians 5:1)
- `Make no mistake, you cannot cheat God.’ (Galatians 6:7)
- `Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.’ (Romans 12:21)
The day of prayer is supported by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, who are also calling for `immediate, concerted and effective action by the government of South Africa, SADC (Southern African Development Community) and other regional organs and the UN to mediate and intervene as needed'.
In a statement, the Archbishops warn, `Continuing political violence and drift could unleash spiralling communal violence, as has been seen elsewhere in the continent where early warning systems or the international community failed to act in time.'
Speaking out
This week the church in Zimbabwe has continued to speak out about the instability that has followed last month’s presidential elections, the results of which remain officially unknown.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches have united to warn the international community that Zimbabwe’s post-election violence could lead to genocide.
A joint statement said, `We warn the world that if nothing is done to help the people of Zimbabwe from their predicament, we shall soon be witnessing genocide similar to that experienced in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and other hot spots in Africa and elsewhere.’
The statement also appealed to the UN, African Union and SADC to work on a solution to the political impasse.
Still counting
Zimbabwe’s electoral commission says it is still counting votes in disputed constituencies and one state-controlled newspaper, The Herald, has indicated that a run-off is unlikely in the current tense climate.
The paper also suggests that a government of national unity could be on the cards but with Robert Mugabe still in charge.
Meanwhile politically-motivated violence continues. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change claims ten people are dead, 500 injured and thousands have fled their homes.
• Please join the church in praying for justice for Zimbabwe. Continue to pray for peaceful political change and for an end to the violence and intimidation.
• Pray that the leadership of the church in Zimbabwe continues to have courage to speak out and that its leaders do not face persecution as a result.
• Pray that any attempts to fraudulently manipulate the presidential election results fail.