#ThisFlag & the rallying call to pray for Zimbabwe - 27 Jul 2016
This week we received an incredible blog from Matt in Zimbabwe, where the hashtag #ThisFlag has been going viral across Twitter and beyond. This piece showcases the power of prayer across nation and is a rallying call to prayer and transformation:
"protesters outside the court knelt down and lifted up flags and Bibles as we prayed for justice and freedom..."
Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls and the ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe. It used to be known as the breadbasket of southern Africa, and those of us born in years following independence were known as the ‘born free’.
I am a mixed race Zimbabwean, and for 36 years I have lived and loved my beloved country.
However, in these years I have seen my parents exiled for advocating freedom of speech and publishing a private newspaper critical of government mismanagement - that saw this once-vibrant economy shrink to become the smallest of any non-conflict nation on the planet.
After years of crippling hyperinflation and the circulation of "trillion dollar" bills, the local currency was discontinued in favour of a multi currency system.
Today, with soaring unemployment believed to be above 80%, the country teeters on the verge of complete collapse and open revolution.
A local pastor has recently risen to prominence posting videos on social media under the hashtag #thisflag. Pastor Evan Mawarire was swiftly arrested after a hugely successful stay-away (the most successful in a decade) on the 6th of June - where workers across Zimbabwe stayed at home in peaceful protest.
On the day of his trial, thousands of church leaders, lawyers and champions of freedom descended on the magistrates court where Pastor Evan stood accused of encouraging violence. This, despite the fact every one of his videos called for peaceful protest and non-violence as he prayed for the nation, and begged our leaders to stamp out rampant corruption, injustice and police brutality.
After several hours of delays and excuses, the prosecutor finally submitted the charge which had been changed to treason - a crime punishable by death in Zimbabwe.
In the face of shield-bearing, baton-wielding riot police, the protesters outside the court knelt down and lifted up flags and Bibles as we prayed for justice and freedom in our land.
Miraculously, justice prevailed with the Magistrate throwing the case out because of a technicality that a charge cannot be changed after an arrest has been made.
Evan was released to the dancing supporters around 8pm that night, and for many of us on the ground we understand that the battle for a free and prosperous Zimbabwe has just begun.
I believe that the Church has to lead the way. The gospel of Jesus alone has the strength to stop violence in our nation; to bring about peaceful transition.
Christian men and women of courage like Evan, and the thousands of us - who prayed for the forces that have brutalized ordinary citizens for nearly four decades - have been liberated from our fear.
The tide has turned and God has begun to fan into flame the gifts that are within us. He has not given us a spirit of timidity but one of love, power and self-discipline.
We lift up the banner of Jesus over Zimbabwe and we declare His glory, power and authority over this rugged land. Zimbabwe for Jesus!
Pray for Zimbabwe
- Praise God that Zimbabweans are beginning to stand up against poverty and injustice
- Praise God that the church in Zimbabwe is striving to bring peace.
- Pray for the thousands of Zimbabweans currently starving as a result of their government's greed and corruption
- Pray for continued unity among churches and the wider population as the government attempts to intimidate, cause division and shift blame
All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the images 'Zimbabwe Grunge Flag’ by Nicolas Raymond.