By Abigail Mvududu, Harare Gardens, Harare

In an interview after the all-day revival DS Rev Tsitsi Madziyire shed light on how the 10 day period of fasting and prayer came about for the district. This is because this tradition is unique to Harare East District (HED) in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area as was acknowledged by Bernard Banda who said, “HED is the only district that holds such a revival at such a large scale, which has impact and is successful”.

DS Rev Madziyire got a revelation in 2009 while on spiritual leave. She felt that God spoke to her and said to her that there is victory through fasting and prayer. But that there are people who don’t understand it and some who fear fasting, therefore as a pastor it was important to teach people to put this into practice and therefore a call to group fasting.
Initially the revelation was for the group fasting to happen once or twice a year but the Connectional Ministries chairperson at the time Rev. Daniel Chitsiku made a recommendation to the district conference of that year and the conference made a resolution to have the revivals three times a year instead of just the two. The revivals are now a yearly occurrence in January, July and October.
DS Rev Madziyire said fasting is a biblical concept and that there are 8 records of fasting in the bible ranging from half a day to 40 days. She was quick to say,” If the author of the church who is Jesus Christ fasted to begin his ministry who are we not to fast as the one we follow fasted? John Wesley the author of Methodism used to fast on Wednesday and Friday. Therefore fasting is a special discipline for Methodists”.
She said John Wesley lived by the policy that, if you could not rule the belly how then would one be able to rule the church. Methodists have always observed the 40 days of fasting during the lent period.
Commenting on attendance at the revival DS Rev Madziyire said this is affected by several factors. Although she is pleased with the numbers she is aware that financial constraints affect attendance. This is in addition to the prevailing weather conditions. She said attendance as well as giving through the offering collection is growing.
She said the revival has managed to bring the district together as a family and that the many teachings that have been given have ensured that the HED congregants are all at the same level. She gave examples of such teachings as the teaching on giving, budgeting and many others.
The revival was first held at the City Sports Centre. It was then moved to Harare gardens because the Sports centre became small but also for reasons beyond the district’s control. DS Rev Madziyire said, “Harare gardens is ideal for many reasons including the fact that it is central for our people”.
The chairperson of discipleship committee which is responsible for recommending speakers for the revivals and topics for teachings, who was also the liturgist at the revival Rev Simon Matara of Greendale circuit gave his perspective of the 10 days of fasting and prayer as well as the revival.
He said at circuit level he has found that the 10 days bring growth spiritually to the congregants. At his circuit like the rest in the district there were lessons and praise during the course of the 10 days. The teachings were given by invited speakers.
“We have had over the years people who have given testimony to the effect that what they fasted and prayed for during these times has come to pass. The results may not be seen immediately but during the course of the year a number of people then come forward and give testimony” said Rev Matara.
Rev Matara went on to say that it is necessary to fast even though it is true that God hears prayers if you don’t fast and even those said silently. Fasting should be done even outside the 10 days. This entails forgoing food and other things. Fasting therefore is denying one’s body the comforts of life and focusing on the spirit and God.
He added that there are many ways of fasting which include, dry fast, fasting one’s breakfast, forgoing solids but ingesting fluids and fasting favourite food.
He ended by saying,” The program flowed and it was exactly as we had anticipated”.
The 10 day period of fasting ended but some circuits will continue until end of month.