Mphoko urges Zimbabweans to pray for sufficient rain

Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday met church leaders in Harare and urged them to pray for the country to receive sufficient rain this season. He said the prayers should be conducted this Saturday up to Sunday January 17 in different parts of the country.

"On behalf of his Excellency the President R.G Mugabe, I hereby call upon all Zimbabweans to pray for sufficient rain in this season for our nation.

"In face of this possible drought, it is important that we turn to the Almighty God, the creator and sustainer of life to heal our land. I, therefore, request that we all dedicate time in our different gatherings to pray from Saturday January 9 to Sunday January 17, 2016," he said.

He said it was incumbent upon all Zimbabweans to prioritise the national call and play their role effectively. Earlier on Rural Development Preservation and Promotion of National Culture and Heritage Minister, Abednico Ncube, met religious leaders and told them to come up with divine solutions to the problem of drought.

"His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe is much aware of the intercessory role that you play in controlling the forces of nature through prayer. Biblically, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three years and six months.

"Therefore, at this juncture, it is critical that we hold a meeting with you on the drought situation in the country. As you are aware, the country has not received substantial amounts of rainfall since the beginning of the summer season, thus we have invited you to this meeting to deliberate and bring to your attention the imminent drought," he said.

Minister Ncube said the country was experiencing scorching heat and erratic rainfall which were a manifestation of a drought situation in the country and experts in the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe have also predicted the same.

He said the country found solace in God who assured through his Word that through prayer satanic weather patterns could be overcome. Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe president and representative of the Heads of Christian Denominations, Dr Shingi Munyeza, who was part of the delegation, said the church felt encouraged when the country's leadership called for such days.

"The church has been praying for the rains as well. It is in the heart of the church. We as the church feel encouraged when leaders call for such days. We would like to work with the Presidency," he said.

Father Fedrick Chiromba, who represented the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference echoed the same sentiments. Representatives of the Seventh Day Adventist Church also attended the gathering.