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ADDRESS
BY
THE PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY
CDE. E. D. MNANGAGWA
AT
THE PRESIDENTIAL NATIONAL DAY
OF PRAYER
HARARE
7 AUGUST 2024
Our Director of Ceremonies for the National Day of Prayer, Rev. P. B. Damasane;
Chairman of Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches, Rev. A. Wutawunashe;
Patron of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches and Head of the Zion Christian Church, His Grace, Bishop N. Mutendi;
First Lady Amai A. Mnangagwa;
Vice President, Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Dr. C. G. D. N. Chiwenga;
Vice President, Hon. Col. (Rtd) K. C. D. Mohadi;
Minister of Defence, Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri;
Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Hon. C. Z. Tavengwa;
Other Honourable Ministers here present;
The Chairman of the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations;
All members of the Clergy;
Fellow Citizens;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I greet you all, the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe, in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I warmly welcome those who are physically in attendance here at State House as well as those from across the country and indeed the world, joining us on virtual platforms. Since the advent of the 2nd Republic, the Presidential Prayer Breakfast has become a frequent occurrence and stands as a testimony that we remain committed to be a Government, and nation, guided by Almighty God and anchored on the principles of His Word.
Further, the National Day of Prayer, continues to be a critical platform for us, as a united people, to deepen our fellowship with God and pursue endeavours that glorify His mighty and glorious name.
The theme of this prayer gathering; ‘A Quest for God’s Help in Nation Building’, encapsulates our desire for God’s presence in all our efforts.
Our national development philosophy is that ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.’
However, we are fully aware that all good and perfect gifts that will befall our nation, come from Jehovah. “Outside Almighty God, we have no good thing”; for indeed the word of God reminds us that:
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they that build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD keeps the City, The watchman watches, but in vain.” (Psalm 127: Verse 1)
As a Government, national leaders across all sectors of the economy and the citizens as a whole, we must never grow weary of seeking God’s guidance and wisdom for the prosperity, development and success of our great country of Zimbabwe, business entities, our communities and families. We are all called upon to “pray without ceasing” and to give thanks at all times.
Under the Second Republic, we are, thus, not only hearers but also doers of the Word of God.
Fellow Countrymen and Women;
Almighty God continues to show our nation favour and abundant blessings. These are manifest in the manner in which we are building our country brick upon brick and stone upon stone. We are realising great achievements across sectors of our economy. The word of God exhorts us in Psalm 92: verse 1-2 that; “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises to His name, to declare His loving-kindness in the morning, and His faithfulness every night.”
Our beloved nation is thankful to Almighty God for the peace, unity, love, harmony and tranquil environment we continue to enjoy.
Despite challenges of illegal sanctions and climate change induced droughts, the Lord Jesus Christ continues to provide for us and help us uplift the quality of life of our people through our own resources.
Across every corner of our country, He has granted us wisdom and strength to drive rapid socio-economic transformation. Our Heavenly Father is continually igniting a patriotic zeal and divine inspiration, to a vast majority of the people of our country to build the modern and industrialised Zimbabwe, we all want.
The countrywide development of our infrastructure from the household level right to the construction of roads, dams, schools, clinics and other institutions, calls for our collective thanksgiving to the Lord Almighty.
On the macro-economic level, the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold Currency (ZiG) is unprecedented and having a positive impact on business and our economy as a whole.
The Lord is also blessing our initiatives to strengthen national cohesion and unity, through community-driven engagements.
I give thanks to the Almighty God for the constructive spirit which He has imparted to us all, including our Traditional Leaders and the Church, among other stakeholders, towards addressing the historical drawbacks that affected the Matabeleland region.
This year’s crippling El-Nino-induced drought has negatively affected us and many neighbouring countries. However, we are grateful to God for granting us divine wisdom, as a Government, to mobilise sufficient food and other resources to support our communities. No one will die of hunger.
To complement our ongoing efforts, the Church and other stakeholders are urged to contribute whatever they can to assist those in need.
Comrades and Friends;
The word of God in Proverbs 3 verse 6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Accordingly, we commit all that we undertake unto the Lord.
In a few days, our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe is hosting the 44th Ordinary Session of the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, whereupon we shall assume Chairmanship of this strategic regional body.
I, therefore, call upon the Church and nation at large to persistently pray that God grants us the grace to successfully host the event and lead with wisdom and humility in the weighty responsibility before our country.
Let us equally approach the SADC Summit with enhanced patriotism and unity, recognising that this is a moment of honour for our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
In the ensuing task, we are committed to demonstrate to SADC nations that, just as they have supported us, throughout the 24 years of illegal sanctions imposed on our country by some Western countries; we are ready to serve the collective socio-economic and political interests of our region, with Godly help.
The people of our SADC region, though spread across sixteen countries, are diverse but one and indivisible.
Our hospitality to visitors, throughout the Summit and beyond, should reflect Godly love, warmth, joy and kindness.
In conclusion, I invite you to agree with me as I make declarations based on extracts drawn from the word of God, in Psalms 100; Psalm 144; Leviticus 26; and Romans 15.
“Nation of Zimbabwe, let us;
Make a joyful shout to the Lord;
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Gather before His presence with singing;
In the Knowledge that the Lord, is God;
It is He who has made us, we did not make ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture;
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name, for the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations;
Blessed be the LORD, He is our Strength and our Rock;
He is our goodness and our fortress;
Our high tower and our deliverer;
Our shield and the one in whom Zimbabwe will trust;
Reach down from above Almighty God; Rescue our land and deliver our beloved country from foreigners, whose mouths speak deceit over our beloved Motherland, Zimbabwe.
Bless the people of Zimbabwe, Oh Jehovah;
May our sons be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters be like corner pillars, polished for a palace.
May our barns be full, providing all kinds of produce;
May our livestock increase by thousands and ten thousand in our fields;
May there be no breach into the walls of our nation;
Almighty God, give our nation, rain in due season.
Finally, may our Lord and God of hope, fill our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe with joy and peace, through our faith in Him, so that all our people may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Blessed is our nation of Zimbabwe because our God is the Lord.
We declare all this, in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ.
Alleluia – Amen.
God bless you all.
God bless Zimbabwe.
God bless our region SADC.
I thank you.
Online Reporter