A call to transform Zimbabwe by prayer

Tearfund is part of campaigning coalition LoveZim, which brings together organisations including the Evangelical Alliance of Zimbabwe and Foundations for Farming with a common vision to see the countrys transformation and recovery. Together the coalition believes that prayer is key to building up the strength of churches in Zimbabwe to unite and help the nations poorest communities.

The church in Zimbabwe is awakening and on the verge of being used by God to transform this awesome nation, creating godly discipleship models in all sectors of the national economy, beginning with faithful stewardship, says Qobo Mayisa, Coordinator, Council of Zimbabwe Christian Leaders. Our goal is to reach every Zimbabwean currently not living in Zimbabwe as well as thousands of other believers around the world who we hope will be willing to join us in prayer.

Zimbabwe remains at a crossroads after a decade that has seen the economy collapse, and is still struggling for peace, justice and reconciliation with the poorest people continuing to suffer enormous hardship. Yet campaigners say the nation seeks its great potential and hope that dignity and beauty will again resurface.

Tearfund Integral Mission Director, David Westlake said, This day is significant because thousands of people are globally joining together in prayer, committed to seeing Gods hand at work through His church in Zimbabwe. We believe that sustainable development can lead the nation to agricultural and economic recovery, but on top of this it is churches, leading civil society, that are at the heart of bringing hope and real change for people that have suffered for far too long. The practical, physical, social and spiritual components of change are integral to societys long-term transformation.

This summer Tearfund launched a major appeal to fund programmes focussed on recovery. These range from supporting Foundations for Farming, who are training thousands of new farmers to grow food for their communities, to long-term healing for people in the Matabeleland region – restoring social networks through healing the wounds of ethnic and political conflict. Tearfund is also supporting water conservation through an awareness project which reduces health risks when using water, and is continuing vital HIV work and care for thousands of orphaned children.