A Prayer for Zimbabwe

A year ago, I took the opportunity to find--or write--a prayer specifically for Zimbabwe. In looking through The United Methodist Book of Worship, I came across one of the prayers "For Those Who Suffer." As I pondered its words, I decided to tailor it for the situation in Zimbabwe.

What was particularly striking in the prayer--at least for me--was the reference to the "rock of God's faithfulness." The name Zimbabwe itself means "house of stone," and rock formations characterize this remarkable country.

The Rev. Tazvionepi Nyarota, District Superintendent of the Mutare District, is translating this prayer into Shona to share with the pastors and people of her district.

Feel free to use this prayer in whatever ways seem good to you.

A Prayer for Zimbabwe*

O Healer of Galilee, you are afflicted in the sufferings of your people and are full of compassion and tender mercy.

Hear us as we pray for those who suffer, especially our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe.

Give them the peace and power that flow from you.

Set free the souls of your servants from all restlessness and anxiety.

Keep them in all perplexities and distresses, in all griefs and grievances, from any fear or faithlessness; that, being upheld by your strength and stayed on the rock of your faithfulness, through storm and stress they may abide in you. Amen.

*Adapted by Mark Conard from the Prayer “For Those Who Suffer," in The United Methodist Book of Worship # 546

Ways to Help

There are several ways in which people can support my upcoming Volunteers in Mission trip to Zimbabwe (July 22 - August 4). There are five of us who will be going from the United States for this purpose. Our primary purpose will be to work on the Skills Training Center in Zimunya, which is sponsored by the Compassionate Consultative Initiative Project-Zimbabwe. I would invite you to:

• Pray for this project, including the VIM team, local workers, and the Mutare District building committee,
• Contribute one or more new pairs of work gloves that can be taken and given to the local workers on site.
• Contribute a full-sized soccer ball to be given to one of the schools near the Skills Training Centre.
  

Along with the VIM project, our team will have the privilege of visiting Africa University and the Fairfield Children's Home, which is located on the grounds of the Old Mutare Mission Centre. I would invite you to:

• Pray for the continued effectiveness of Africa University and for the work being done at the Fairfield Childrens Home (which provides care for up to eighty children and youth) and the Old Mutare Mission Centre, including the mission hospital there.
• Donate one or more new (wrapped) bars of soap, that will be given to the Fairfield Children's Home.
• Donate new "over the counter" medications that can be given to the Old Mutare Mission Hospital. (You can e-mail me for a suggested list).
  

In addition, I have the particular privilege of attending worship at the Streamview United Methodist Church near Mutare. This is the congregation with which First United Methodist Church in Hutchinson is building a relationship. It turns out that I will be there on Sunday, July 26, which is their annual "Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday." I have been invited to preach on that occasion! I would invite you to:

• Pray for me (and the congregation) on that Sunday (perhaps doing so the night before, since we will be eight hours ahead of Central Standard Time in the United States!)
• Contribute to the "Harvest Thank Offering" to be received at First United Methodist Church this Sunday, July 12, and the following Sunday, July 19, that I will present to the Streamview congregation on July 26.
  
• Sign the "Future with Hope" card at First United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 12 or July 19. I plan to take the signed card with me and present it Streamview congregation on July 26.

Many of these ways to help, of course, are limited to persons in or near Hutchinson, KS. However, prayer knows no limits or boundaries, and I invite you to share especially in this means of support!