The Sunday Mail
Bulawayo Bureau
ACTING President Cde Phelekezela Mphoko has described the prevailing situation that is being caused by erratic rains as a national disaster but urged Zimbabweans from various religions to pray for the rains.
Cde Mphoko said the prayers were being held from yesterday up to Sunday 17 January. All churches are urged to take part.
The Acting President said this yesterday on the sidelines of a church service where leaders prayed for the rains at Bellevue Seventh Day Adventist Church in Bulawayo.
“This is a national disaster and the people should know. Today marks the beginning of the national prayer week for the rains to fall, we want all people in this nation to pray to God that we receive adequate rainfall in time because the situation is not good,” he said.
Traditional and church leaders are spearheading the national prayers.
Cde Mphoko said people should remain optimistic.
“What Zimbabweans must know is that all prayers can be answered as long as you ask. These prayers that we have started are not in vain, we will get the response from above because we are doing it from our hearts,” he said.
He said the rains will guarantee food security.
Church elders also took time to pray for the country’s leadership so that they are guided accordingly in their duty to lead the nation.
Earlier on, Rural Development Preservation and Promotion of National Culture and Heritage Minister Abednico Ncube had met religious leaders. He told them to come up with divine solutions to the drought.
He said the country should find solace in God since He assures us through his Word that “satanic” weather patterns can be overcome through prayer.
Last week, the Acting President met religious leaders in Harare and encouraged them to pray for sufficient rainfall.
Cde Mphoko attended the church service with his wife Laurinda and daughter Siduduzo.
Meanwhile, nine church denominations and traditional leaders from Matabeleland North Province gathered in Gwayi last Thursday for a prayer session following Acting President Mphoko’s call.
These included the New Life Christian Fellowship, 12 Apostles, Seventh Day Adventist, Zuva Guru RaJehova, Assemblies of God, Zion, Faith In God, Zaoga and Bethel Assembly. New Life Christian Fellowship hosted the event.
Also in attendance were traditional leaders from Lupane District and Zanu-PF provincial leaders who were represented by Cde Bekezela Sibanda from the Youth Wing.
The theme for the prayer session was derived from 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.”
Head pastor of New Life Christian Fellowship, Pastor Tamuka Nyoni said sessions will continue until Sunday.
“We want to thank Acting President Mphoko who saw it fit that churches should meet and pray for rain and the country because only God’s will can set us free from this dry spell. We are going to continue with the sessions until Sunday,” he said.
After a brief address at Ezigodweni, the huge crowd that also comprised of villagers from around Gwayi moved to a nearby rocky area where the prayers were held.
Pastor Nyoni said each denomination will countinue praying from their respective places of worship using the same theme.
Bishop Robson Ncube of Zuva Guru RaJehova challenged Zimbabweans to go on fasting as they pray for the rains.
“Next time we should all go on fasting for a common cause. Now that we are here gathered praying, we trust in God that one day it will rain and once it does, we must not go into the fields at once but spend some time thanking God for answering our prayers,” he said.
Headman Christopher Ncube who was representing Chief Mabhikwa said traditional leaders were also in support of the prayers.
“On behalf of the chief, I want to encourage churches to continue organising such gatherings. As traditional leaders, we also praise God,” he said.
