The Shona and English versions of the hymn have been posted on several websites so that Anglicans throughout the world can join in this prayer with Anglicans in Zimbabwe.
The words of the hymn are as follows: Mukristu usanete, Christian, do not tire, Inzwa Ngerosi yako, Listen to your angel, Uri mukati memhandu;You are amid enemies; "Namata urinde." "Watch and pray." Hondo dzese dzedima,The armies of darkness, Dzisingamboonekwi, That are invisible, Dzinoda kukubata; Want to seize you; "Namata urinde." "Watch and pray."
Tora mapfumo ako Take up your spears, Abate misi yese, Hold them on all days, Satan anorindira; Satan is watching for them; "Namata urinde." "Watch and pray." Inzwa vakakurira Hear those who overcame, Vari kukuringisa, They are conquering, Ivo vese vachiti, All of them saying, "Namata urinde." "Watch and pray."
Shona text is from Ndwiyo Dzomuchechi [Hymns of the Church], rev. ed. (London: S.P.C.K., 1966). It was itself a translation of an English hymn, "Christian, seek not yet repose," Hymn 308 in Hymns Ancient and Modern, but the now immensely popular Shona version is a condensed version.
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