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TechnoratiLONDON – Churches around the world responded Sunday to the call of the All African Conference of Churches for a day of prayer and fasting for Zimbabwe.
(Photo: AP Images / Themba Hadebe)Zimbabwean Pastor Wison Mugabe, left, speaks as Bishop Paul Verryn, right, looks on during the launch of a hunger strike campaign in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday Jan. 21, 2009. Mugabe, a member of the National Pastor's Forum, said he would start a 21-day hunger strike on Wednesday. Pastor Mugabe said the people of Zimbabwe were already on a 'forced fast by the government'.
The day of prayer and fasting coincided with the conclusion of this year’s annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, during which millions of Christians across all denominations traditionally pray to become one.
The British Methodist and United Reformed Churches were among the many Christian bodies backing the AACC call for prayer.
“With the eyes of the world’s media now firmly fixed on the unfolding tragedy in Gaza, we need to be reminded of the immense pain and suffering that continues to haunt the people of Zimbabwe,” said the Rev. John Marsh, moderator of the General Assembly of The United Reformed Church.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing the worst economic and humanitarian crisis since its independence from Britain nearly three decades ago. Food, medicine and most other basic goods are desperately scarce and, to add to the misery, waterborne cholera in recent months has spread quickly because city officials across Zimbabwe can no longer afford to pick up trash or buy chemicals to purify water, and most hospitals have closed. Cholera, which is easily prevented and treated, has killed nearly 3,000 Zimbabweans since August.
In rallying prayers from within his denomination, United Reform Church leader Marsh called on member churches to take part in the prayer day by commencing their services with the lighting of a candle and a minute’s silence in prayer in solidarity with the people and churches of Zimbabwe.
Steve Hucklesby, public issues policy adviser for The Methodist Church, meanwhile, made clear his hope to see Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe relinquish power after ruling the country with an iron fist since its independence from Britain in 1980.
“We want a process that can bring about the longing of all Zimbabweans for a free and fair society,” he said. “Robert Mugabe lost the presidential election. Zanu PF (Mugabe’s party) came second in parliamentary elections. Mr. Mugabe must be prepared to relinquish power if Zimbabweans are to be free.”
Last December, during its 9th General Assembly in Maputo, Mozambique, the AACC declared Jan. 25 a day of prayer and fasting for Zimbabwe.
In a far-reaching invitation, AACC’s general secretary, the Rev. Dr. Andre Karamaga, asked all churches to join the day of prayer, insisting that the current regime is illegitimate and that political violence and intimidation were continuing. He also pointed to the devastating cholera outbreak and other problems, including crippling hyperinflation and food shortages.
“Indeed it is a time of need for Zimbabwe,” Karamaga wrote. “May the Lord grant Zimbabwe light to break forth like the dawn and healing to quickly appear. May the Lord bless us all as we pray, fast for the end to the political crisis and resumption of normalcy in the lives of the people of Zimbabwe.”
Other groups that encouraged Christians to join in the day of prayer and fasting included U.K.-based charity group Tearfund, which stressed how the need is “urgent.”
“We can pray for a new hope around many urgent issues, especially as a new U.S. president steps up to multiple challenges,” said International Director Peter Grant, acknowledging the transition of newly elected Barack Obama to the White House. Continue »
