Source: Churches unite in prayer for Zim – DailyNews Live
Blessings Mashaya 20 November 2017
HARARE – Churches around the country yesterday prayed for the nation to
remain peaceful following the military’s takeover last week.
A snap survey carried out by the Daily News showed that churches in the
capital city were preaching the gospel of peace, urging Zimbabweans to
remain peaceful and praying for the military to receive wisdom from God.
Some of the churches visited yesterday included the Roman Catholic Church
and New Life Covenant church.
At the New Life Covenant church, congregates were heard praying for a
better Zimbabwe blessed with a functioning economy.
At Roman Catholic Church in the city centre the preacher told congregates
that national leaders must not be selfish and they must learn to share
with the poor.
Meanwhile Apostolic Council of Churches in Zimbabwe (ACCZ) life president
Bishop Johannes Ndanga said he has been consistent that it is God who
chooses and dismisses leaders.
“I have always said that if God decides that Mugabe’s term in office is
over, it will not take Him seconds to remove him. God has all the power to
determine and true to that He has decided, hence you see the army stepping
in.”
Ndanga said since last year they have been dedicating most of their time
praying for peace to prevail in Zimbabwe.
“The spirit had warned us of this, hence it has been a religious curse
that we have been fighting through prayer. We always have had hope that
God will help us and deliver us.
“We are glad that General (Constantino) Chiwenga and his soldiers have
shown that they are religious people because they are following God’s law
and have managed to maintain peace.
“As a church we are praying to God so that he can give the military the
wisdom to deal with this challenge.”
He added that as a church they have been educating leaders on what this
means and it seems the word has been received.
Devine Destiny Network Bishop Ancelimo Magaya yesterday urged all parties
involved in this contentious issue to find an amicable solution.
“While developments in Zimbabwe are changing at a fast pace than usual, as
the church we would like to respond by offering godly counsel as events
continue to unfold.
“Our hope is that throughout this entire political melee, lives would be
preserved. Our appeal to all parties involved in the current dispute is
that the Cross of Calvary which is cantered on forgiveness may remain the
guiding moral campus.
“The nation has been hurting for far too long with the economy at an
almost standstill, pensions and investments were lost but above all, we
have killed each other for political reasons and this narrative ought to
be a thing of the past if we want to move forward.”
Posting on his Facebook page after the Saturday march against Mugabe
prominent businessman and clergyman, Shingi Munyeza, said: “As I march
today I celebrate and declare. Psalm 126:1-2, when the Lord brought back
the captivity of Zion. We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was
filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among
the nations; `The Lord has done great things for them.'”
In a statement Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations chairperson
Ishmael Mukuwanda said all political stakeholders must respect the
Constitution.
“We urge all citizens of Zimbabwe to cherish peace, unity, freedom
equality, justice, tolerance, prosperity and patriotism as we choose for
new frontiers under common destiny.
“We implore all stakeholders to respect the Constitution of Zimbabwe, be
tolerant of different views and opinions while employing sustained
dialogue as a mechanism of conflict management and transformation.”
Anglican Diocese of Harare CPCA said in a statement that Zimbabweans must
unite for the good of the country.
“Zimbabweans can find each other again as they did in the 1960s and 1970s
when they joined hands against the colonial forces; Zimbabweans can find
each other again like they did when the signed the unity accord and
stopped the self-destruction in Matabeleland and Midlands. Zimbabweans can
find each other again like they did when the produced the current national
constitution.
“Zimbabweans can find each other like they did when they shared power
during the government of national unity. There is no chasm that is too big
not to be crossed through the power of reconciliation. Without
reconciliation and openness to a process of shared national envisioning,
we are all doomed.
“We can either take the current situation as a mere crisis to be resolved
by a winner-takes-all mentality or we use this as an opportunity for us to
find one another to build something that is permanently healing for our
nation. The first option spells disaster for us and future generations.”
Zimbabwe Amalgamated Churches’ Council (ZACC) patron Jimayi Muduvuri said
they are praying that the current army process will end up peacefully.
“We are praying to God for our country to remain peaceful because God
loves the people of Zimbabwe who are anxiously waiting for their Canaan
moment.”
Churches have in the past played a critical role in Zimbabwean politics.
The apostolic sect has been Zanu PF’s favourite hunting ground. In the run
up to any important election, Zanu PF politicians are known for trooping
to church services convened by the various sects to win their hearts and
minds.
One of the most enduring images remain that of President Robert Mugabe,
beamed on national television in 2010 while donning white garments and
holding a sacred staff at a Johane Marange shrine.
Grace’s last rally was an interface meeting with the apostolic and Zion
churches held at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
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