Last week when I came back from the Inter-religious Faith Leaders Prayer for Peace Conference and Rally, Zimbabwe was in Political Crisis. The Zimbabwean Military had taken over the country and confined President Robert Mugabe under house arrest and forced him to resign. It was not clear whether it was a coup de ’tat or not.
We began to pray for peace in Zimbabwe. I met the delegation from Zimbabwe in Seoul. We began praying and I requested every one who receives God’s sermon through to pray for Kenya and Zimbabwe.
In our text, Apostle Paul teaches us that in times of trouble, crisis, trials and tribulation not only for our personal lives but in our societies, we should not be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6)
The question is how can we not be anxious when the whole of Zimbabwe is under military siege? I was reminded of Soweto June 16 -20 1976 when Soweto was under the South African Military siege and as well in 1998, when I went to Liberia as AOU delegate to observe Elections, surrounded by ECOWAS- Military of West African States. The soldiers were everywhere from the Airport into Monrovia.
We followed the word and not be anxious. but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving presents your requests to God. Our prayer request was to bring PEACE in Zimbabwe. NO BLOODSHED IN JESUS’NAME!!Prayers went all over the world.
Naturally especially in Africa, when the military takes over the country, blood is shed and many people are killed, some are displaced within the other parts of the country and others flee into neighboring countries as refugees.
A new divine peace occurred in Africa. What is natural in Military terms, killing was overpowered what is supernatural in Zimbabwean. Negotiations with President Robert Mugabe, and he resigned. There was no blood shed, no flux of displacement or refugees.
The Apostle Paul tell us that if we pray with Thanksgiving the outcome is “. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Indeed, the military takeover in Zimbabwe in few days was able to bring a peaceful transition. The former deposed Deputy President, Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn as new President.
I am not able to judge him or even predict what Zimbabwe is going to be under his leadership. My mission is to continue to pray that the devil should not try to destroy the PEACE in Zimbabwe and that other African countries with political crisis can learn a new divine order of Peace from Zimbabwe that Peace can overtake the bloody military interventions.
As Peacemakers and Peace Intercessors. let us continue to do what God has called us to do. SEEK PEACE! SEEK PEACE! SEEK PEACE! PRAY! PRAY AND PRAY.
AMEN! ALLELUIA! AMEN.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7
Philippians 4.
V.6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving presents your requests to God.
- 7. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.
By Rev. Dr. Mankekolo Mahlangu-Ngcobo
