Prayers for peace intensify ahead of elections

Harare- Zimbabwe Pastors’ Fellowship, a grouping of pastors from various churches will embark on a countrywide crusade conducting peace prayers ahead of the coming general elections.

The peace prayers which are aimed at encouraging peace in communities will be held under the theme, “Burying the Hatchet”.

 President of ZIMPAF Watson Furayi said pastors were concerned by the increase of violence reports and to encourage peace in the coming elections, the grouping had decided to be proactive in its calls for peace.

“We believe peace prayers are important in nation building in the post conflict era. We don’t want wait for things to happen and only react when people would have died.

“Our people have endured violence and strife before and after independence and we want to put God first in nation healing and reconciliation effort,” said Furayi.

The fellowship has since conducted one such crusade in Seke and would proceed to Marondera over the weekend (Saturday), one of Zimbabwe’s politically charged province in Mashonaland East.

“The peace prayer in Marondera will be graced by political leaders from across the political divide, including Mashonaland East Governor Aneas Chigwedere.

“ We believe if we put God first, with a God fearing political leadership, this nation will rise among other nations,” he added.

The 2008 election was marred by violence which led to the formation of the Government of National Unity after the elections were dismissed as illegitimate.