Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe (Sunday, July 24, 2005)

Two years ago, our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe anticipated hosting the 2003 Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Bulawayo. Today, they cling to memories of the miracle of that event and the support they felt from their global faith family. They also wonder if that family has now forgotten them as other crises around the world have taken over the news.

An already desperate situation in Zimbabwe, due to continued drought, almost no harvest, a collapsed economy and the aftermath of another flawed election in March, plummeted to new depths in May when the government began detaining thousands of people and burning makeshift homes in shantytowns on the fringes of major cities, forcing people to flee to rural areas.

Church leaders in Zimbabwe are now calling on their international brothers and sisters to pray for them in a worldwide day of prayer on July 24. The leaders are asking the global church to pray:

	that the church in Zimbabwe will remain faithful and strong in advocating for truth and justice at all levels
	for victims of ongoing home demolitions, including the elderly, sick, disabled and children who are forced to abandon school
	for churches that are providing temporary shelter and advocating for permanent homes for victims
	that political leaders might "be struck by the fear of the Lord" as they consider passing bills that cause concern for the church like one now before parliament that may adversely affect Brethren in Christ schools
	that these leaders might make wise economic decisions
	for an end to a four-year drought that has made people vulnerable to manipulation as they seek to feed their families
	for prayer for weary pastors who spend most of their time comforting numerous victims of HIV/AIDS and their families and burying the dead
	for peace to prevail.

Let’s not forget our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe. Mennonite Central Committee has committed funds to purchase 5,000 blankets for people forced from their homes in this the coldest time of year. MCC continues to welcome donations for this emergency effort.

MCC and MWC Respond to Needs in Zimbabwe; July 24 to be Day of Prayer
http://www.mwc-cmm.org/News/MWC/050701rls1.html

Church Leader Calls Global Faith Family to Remember Zimbabwe in its New Crisis
http://www.mwc-cmm.org/News/MWC/050610rls1.html

Donate to MCC blankets for Zimbabe:
http://www.mcc.org/respond/donate.html

Photo by Laurie L. Oswald: During an adult delegate session at Charlotte 2005, Janeen Bertsche Johnson, of the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board, presents about 200 prayers to Nancy Heisey, president of Mennonite World Conference, to be sent to brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering economic, physical and spiritual hardship in Zimbabwe.