Pray For Zimbabwe: A Nation in Crisis by Andy Freeman

Published: December 11th, 2008

“We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy next........I mean they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar houses and one family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of salvaging anything when 100 riot police came in with AK47's and bulldozers and demolished their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and pine ceilings - because it was 'too close to the airport', so we are feeling extremely insecure right now.”

This is just one of the many impassioned and desperate pleas for help from a resident in what must be the most broken nation on earth right now ... Zimbabwe.

In the early 80’s, Rhodesia came out from the shadow of the oppresive rule of Ian Smith, and gained a new identity and hope as a the newly independent nation of Zimbabwe.  It’s history had been bleak, and British colonial rule had at times been appalling.  But then, all was hope.  At it’s head was Robert Mugabe, a man championed in much of Africa as a freedom fighter.

Zimbabwe now has moved from early prosperity and optimism to a slow and painful economic and political death.  Hyper-inflation means that millions of Zimbabwe $ are needed just to buy bread - and that’s if you can find any bread as most stores are empty.  Only 20% of the country’s population have a job.  

An uneasy coalition between Mugabe and his opposition rival Morgan Tswangari, holds together, but only just - and somehow, despite apparently losing a presidential election ... Mugabe remains in power.

Months ago Mugabe famously declared that only God could remove him from power.  For many, that has now become their prayer.

In 2007, Nelson Mandela appointed ‘the Elders’ - a group responsible for humanitarian work across Africa.  The team of Kofi Annan (former UN security general), Jimmy Carter (former US president) and Graca Machel (African justice campaigner and wife of Nelson Mandela) had hoped to help in Zimbabwe’s crisis, but now been barred from the country, with Mugabe himself refusing them a visa last month.  Their’s and everybody’s patience seems to have worn out.

‘There is bitter disappointment in the current leadership.  This government has not demonstrated the ability to lead the country out of its current crisis’
(Kofi Annan)

And now, as if Zimbabwe had not suffered enough, the country is in the grip of a cholera crisis.  The World Heath Organisation estimated 14,000 have the disease with hundreds already dead.  According to Medicine Sans Frontiers most clean water and sanitation systems are compromised, leading to the spread of infection.  Even hospitals, such as Harare Central Hospital lay empty and without resources to help.

‘The sick lose all hope of finding treatment the moment they step into the lifeless hospital reception”  (BBC website).

So what can we do ?  I want to ask you to pray, in your prayer weeks, in your churches or on your own.  Lets all own the task of seeking God and asking for his deliverance of Zimbabwe and it’s people.  How can we pray?  Here’s four suggestions:

1. That we recognise what’s going on and repent of the part we play.  Lets recognise and say sorry for our apathy.  Lets repent on behalf of our governments where they haven’t acted.  If we’re British lets start by saying sorry on behalf of our nation for the legacy of hurt and injustice we sowed into the old Rhodesia for many years.
2. Lets pray for Robert Mugabe, for a renewing of his mind and a change of his heart.  He is in a dark place.  Lets bring his plea before God, that only God could bring about new leadership.  Lets pray for the miracle of change in Zimbabwe. 
3. Lets pray for aid organisations, bringing food and medicine into the country.  That their work wouldn’t be interfered with, that it might increase and that people can get food and medicine that they need. 
4. Lets pray for the people of Zimbabwe, for their protection, for their deliverance from oppression, for their families and loved ones.   Pray for the church in Zimbabwe that it might know how to take a stand and how to be Christ amongst all this appalling hardship.
   

I’ll leave the last word to the writer of the email I received:

“You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep at night, but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put us in your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to be with us - that is a help -but I feel so cut off from you all knowing I cannot tell you what's going on here simply because you will feel uncomfortable. There is no ways we can leave here so that is not an option.  I ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know how. “  

 

Andy Freeman is 41 years old and a father to 5 beautiful kids.  He lives in Reading, England.  Andy was part of the team that pioneered 24-7's first Boiler Room community.  He is now a trainee Ordinand with the Church of England and is working with others to plant the Reconcile Community, a 24-7 Community which is an Anglican Fresh Expression.  Andy loves reading, movies, music, cricket (the sport) and Arsenal football club.  Andy is involved with Just 24-7 and 24-7's partnership with Fresh Expressions.  You can continue to dialogue with Andy on his blog.

Post to: Facebook del.icio.us digg Newsvine