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Tendai Rupapa Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE tomorrow celebrates the second anniversary of the National Day of Prayer, bringing together all denominations countrywide in solidarity with the God-fearing First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, who since assuming office, has underscored the need to put God first in all programmes.
The mother of the nation implored churches to remain united because they worship one God and even chaplains from uniformed forces will be among preachers lined up to deliver sermons at the event.
The First Lady has been championing prayer programmes under the banner of “Prayer for Zimbabwe Network”, with the first national day of prayer having been held on October 21, 2019.
Spearheaded by Amai Mnangagwa, the launch was the first of its kind since Independence in 1980.
Various Christian denominations yesterday threw their weight fully behind the anniversary celebrations, which will be held under the theme, “God sustained our unity for the last two years despite our diversity: Uniting for one God, One nation with Love”.
Speaking about the anniversary, Bishop Edmore Chiota, who is Harare East District Bishop for the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, said churches were appreciative of the First Lady’s efforts to call the nation to prayer.
“As churches in Zimbabwe, we would like to appreciate the initiative taken by the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe to call the nation into prayer. As we celebrate the anniversary, we must give our hearts fully to God. Ever since the launch of the prayer days at various centres culminating into the seven days of prayer and fasting, the Lord has heard us, for Covid-19 is almost contained, drug abuse among the youths is being tackled and the relative peace that this nation is enjoying.
“The churches are in full support of the prayer initiatives. We would like to give thanks to the Lord for revealing this initiative to the First Lady as we give thanks for what the Lord has done and will do for Zimbabwe. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says ‘Pray without ceasing’,” he said.
In his remarks, Bishop Dr Guide Makore showered praises on the First Lady for showing the nation the light through prayer and spearheading the anniversary celebrations.
“We owe all this success to God, hence the celebration of the anniversary. It should be noted that in spite of the Covid-19’s global crisis and challenges as a result of your humility, hard work, sincerity, philanthropy, dedication and efforts in mobilising concerted prayer and fasting for this nation, we are experiencing the following; peace and stability, diplomatic relations, strategic nation building engagements at national, regional, continental and global levels as well as abundant rainfall as an agro driven economy endowed with God given mineral and human resources,” he said.
Bishop Makore said despite the notable progress, there was need to continue praying as prayer plays a vital part in peoples’ daily lives.
Elder Josephine Chinhengo, who was upbeat about the second anniversary of the prayers led by the mother of the nation, said prayer, being the primary method of communication between God and man, played an important part in practically every religion, whether Christian or otherwise.
“As much as prayer is an individual’s choice, community prayer as a nation brings corporate supplication unto God as stated in Philippians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“This very verse brings out the importance of prayer in that requests are taken to the Lord in anticipation of favourable answers.”
Elder Chinhengo said ever since the First Lady’s prayer network began and saints were gathering together irrespective of denomination, results had been seen as God has answered prayers petitioned for the nation.
“We saw God stretching His hand forth in the Covid-19 pandemic, we enjoyed a lot of rain in the last rainy season and God is still at work in the various areas in which we, as a nation have prayed for and have asked for God’s intervention. A nation that prays together stays together and in harmony,” she said.
Bishop Christopher Choto, president of Zimbabwe Christian Ministers Association who will take part in tomorrow’s programme, said prayer was vital to the nation’s spiritual health, the same way breathing was to people’s physical health.
“It is by prayer that we commune with God our sustainer, and it is through prayer that our hearts are positioned to hear and receive from him. We appreciate the prayer initiative by Amai, First Lady encouraging the nation to use the spiritual weapons that are at our disposal to develop our nation.
“Covid-19 caused lot of havoc around the globe and even though we lost some of our loved ones but it did not ravage us in the same rate as it did in other countries. I believe these are the results of these prayers and now death related to Covid-19 has gone down as a result of prayer. We call on the nation to keep trusting in God The bible says 2 Chronicles 7:14: ‘if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”.
Bishop Choto continued, “The Lord God has shown mercy over the land of Zimbabwe in these difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic and for this cause, I solidly support the initiative of coming together as a nation with the singular purpose of expressing gratitude to the Lord Almighty. May His presence remain in our land and may peace and prosperity continue to be bestowed on our nation in the name of Jesus,” he said.
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