Prayers for Zimbabwe

Jeremiah 23:1-4 (NLT)

23 “What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord.

2 Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them. 3 But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the Lord, have spoken! 5 “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant[a] from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land.

• Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, surrounded by Zambia in the north, Mozambique in the east, Botswana in the west and South Africa in the south.

• The name “Zimbabwe” actually means a house built on a rock.

• It is one of those few nations which have not been infiltrated by Muslims. It is a Christian nation.

• Zimbabwe has however endured its share of political & economic unrest.

• Once the bread basket of the region, Zimbabwe has since the year 2000 struggled to feed its own people due to severe droughts and the effects of a land reform programme which saw the seizure of white-owned farms redistributed to landless black Zimbabweans who had no clue on agricultural techniques and technology.

• This led to sharp falls in production.

•  Zimbabwe’s economy faces severe challenges. Zimbabwe is now almost over $10 billion in debt.

• Cash-strapped and impoverished, unemployment and poverty have hit the nation like a tonne of bricks.

• Political strife and repression are an everyday occurrence.

• Veteran, President Robert Mugabe dominated the country’s political scence for almost 4 decades after gaining its independence from the British in 1980. 

•  Robert Mugabe had believed the country to belong to him but “the earth is the Lord’s and its fullness thereof”.

•  Emmerson Mnangagwa became president in November 2017 following a dramatic week in which the military took charge and Robert Mugabe was forced to resign.

• As a result of a push by his wife, Grace, Robert Mugabe had sacked Emmerson Mnangagwa as vice President with the intention of appointing his wife as vice President and would later take over from him as president.

• The military on sensing this planned the takeover in which they forced his Robert Mugabe and ultimately his wife Grace out of the political scene.

• Grace’s political ambitions were driven by the need for self-preservation rather than the desire to lead and serve her country.

• Grace is nick-named “Gucci Grace” because of her weakness for Ferragamo heels.

• In one shopping spree in Paris, she was reported to have racked a bill of $75 000.

• The leadership of the now president, Emmerson Mnangagwa also known as the “Crocodile”, (because of his political cunning) is deeply questioned.

• Mnangagwa is associated with some of the worst atrocities committed under the ruling Zanu-PF party since independence.

• Did he win the just recent elections fairly?

• No, the people of Zimbabwe are today still questioning the results of these elections.

• A leader of the Zimbabwe Christian Church was reported to have come under fire over statements urging opposition political parties to accept the presidential results and work together with the ruling party for the good of the country.

• Zimbabweans are tired, they are lamenting and crying out to God for change.

• Zimbabwe with a population of 16.5million has seen a great reduction in its population as many people move to neighbouring countries in search of better living conditions.

• But many desire to come back home and were hoping that this time change will come at the hand of a different ruling party but many fear that results were rigged.

• God will appoint “responsible shepherds who will care for His flock, for the leaders have deserted them and driven them to destruction but He will gather His flock together from all the countries He has driven them, to their own sheepfold and they will be fruitful and increase in number”.

God is saying “the time is coming when He will raise up a righteous leader, he will be a ruler who rules with wisdom. He/She will do what is just and right throughout the land” Jeremiah 23:5.

PRAYERS

• Father we thank You for the nation of Zimbabwe, thank You for Your plans and purpose for this nation, for they shall prevail.

• Lord we ask for Your peace and love to reign over Zimbabwe.

• Lord please raise up righteous men and women over Zimbabwe who will rule with wisdom and will do what is just and right throughout the land.

• Father cause any leader (including any MP in the Zimbabwean government) who is deliberately opposing Your will and pushing their own anti-God agenda to be removed from office and may their plans and purposes be exposed, and become ineffective.

• May any such above MPs be replaced by godly men and women who will stand their ground in parliament.

• Lord we pray for responsible shepherds and NOT (corrupt Church Leaders who are only after their own selfish gains), who will care for Your flock and who will declare the pure Gospel of Christ that many may be won over to Jesus.

• “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” Prov 33:12 – May Zimbabwe turn and put its trust in the power of the Cross always.

•  Father release Your Spirit over Zimbabwe that will blow out any spirit that is contrary to Your plans and may Your Spirit begin to raise, repair and restore Zimbabwe and allow for fruitfulness and increase once again.