Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Indigenous and Interdenominational Council of Churches (ZIICC) has called on Bulawayo residents and churches from across denominations to converge at White City Stadium tomorrow for a national prayer and worship gathering centred on peace, unity, national development and divine protection for the country.
The event, which will be attended by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, comes at a time when the nation is grappling with a rise in fatal road traffic accidents and other challenges that have sparked calls for collective prayer and reflection.
In an interview yesterday, ZIICC chairperson Bishop Andrew Wutawunashe said the gathering would bring together Christians from diverse backgrounds to seek God’s guidance and blessings for Zimbabwe, its leadership and ongoing national processes.
“We are calling on the people of Bulawayo and churches of all denominations to come together as one body of believers. The main purpose is to pray for peace, the development of the nation, unity and the country’s leadership,” he said.
Bishop Wutawunashe said the event would also provide an opportunity for Zimbabweans to publicly affirm their faith and declare Zimbabwe as a God-fearing nation.
“There will be different choirs, bands and worship teams. It will be an experience in which we bring the nation before the Lord through prayer and worship,” he said.
Bishop Wutawunashe described the gathering as a national prayer and worship programme dedicated to issues affecting the country, saying prayer remains vital as Zimbabwe implements major national initiatives and parliamentary processes.
“It is imperative that we pray, especially when we have major national initiatives taking place. The Word of God says, ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.’ We are asking for God’s guidance and wisdom for our parliamentarians, senators and the nation as a whole,” he said.
Bishop Wutawunashe said the church was also praying for unity and peace, urging Zimbabweans not to allow differing views on national issues to sow division.
“We want to pray that whatever is happening in the nation will not be used to foster division, but that Zimbabwe may move forward in unity and peace,” he said.
Bishop Wutawunashe said special prayers would also be offered for communities affected by the increasing number of road traffic accidents across the country, which have become a major source of concern.
He said the church has over the years worked with transport authorities and relevant Government ministries to provide spiritual support following tragic accidents.
“From time to time, especially within the ZIICC, we have engaged the relevant transport authorities and ministries, and in some instances we have gone to accident scenes themselves to pray. This spiritual engagement is aimed at seeking God’s intervention, cleansing and deliverance from such tragedies,” said Bishop Wutawunashe.
While acknowledging that it is not always possible for the church to respond to every incident, Bishop Wutawunashe said prayer remains an important tool in seeking divine protection and healing for the nation.
“We believe that many of these accidents have a spiritual dimension, and through prayer God can help us. We have done so in the past and will continue to do so in the future. At the same time, we comfort those who have lost loved ones and provide support through our churches,” he said.
However, Bishop Wutawunashe stressed that prayer should go hand in hand with responsible behaviour on the roads.
“We also encourage good stewardship of our resources. Our transport and vehicles should be properly maintained, and we must drive responsibly. Drunken driving and other dangerous practices should be completely rejected. This is a message that the churches will continue to emphasise strongly,” he said.
The gathering is expected to attract worshippers from across the country in what organisers say will be a moment of reflection, prayer and renewed commitment to peace, unity and national progress.
