By Abigail Mvududu, Harare.
Over 3000 people converged on the Harare Gardens in Harare, on 12 January to celebrate the end of the 10 day period of fasting and prayer observed by the Harare East District (HED) of the United Methodist Church.
The huge crowd was composed of not only members of the United Methodist church in Harare East but also Methodists from other districts as well as members of other denominations.
The revival was a culmination of a 10 day period of group fasting within HED. This period is observed at the beginning of every year in the district and ends with the all day revival.
Although the day started off cloudy, this did not deter the congregants who converged on the gardens from as early as 7am.They were hyped into the mood of praise by two guest choirs, Harare circuit’s St Paul’s choir and the Harare Inner City circuit’s praise team.
As the District Superintendent, Rev Tsitsi Madziyire is a stickler for time, the programme started right in time with the procession, and Rev Simon Matara the Discipleship Committee chairperson directing the proceedings as the liturgist.
The opening prayer was given by Rev. Max Chambara and DS Rev Tsitsi Madziyire launched into her devotion straight after, by urging people to see the hand of God in the midst of adversity. She entreated people to remember the trials and tribulations encountered in 2013 and how God was at hand to fight their battles and bless them in times of need.
Quoting from the scriptures she reminded congregants that God is good all the time and promised and gave assurance in Isaiah 53 that, “No weapon fashioned against you shall harm you”
She said however that weapons will continue to be fashioned by your enemies, soldiers of war in our daily lives will continue to train but if you take cover in the blood of Jesus Christ, God will fight your battles for you only if you surrender them to Him.” God has everything under control”, she said. As in the case of Daniel when King Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth man where previously there had been three, your enemies will also see the fourth man who is God when they try to harm you.
After devotion there were 3 other speakers who included Dr Rudo Mutasa, Rev John Makaniko and Benard Banda.
Dr Rudo Mutasa, a medical doctor by profession but also a member of the United Methodist Church gave a teaching on the Stewardship of the body and our possessions as Christians.
She however focused on the stewardship of the body. She said that fasting is not only good because it brings one closer to God but that it is also beneficial to the body in that it is a way of cleansing one’s body especially after the gluttony and debauchery during the festive season. She said a person is the security officer of his or her body which is a temple which must be guarded jealously.
She said the body carries precious cargo which is the Holy Spirit that resides in us and therefore people should watch what they eat and do to their bodies. She spoke about healthy eating, the need to be clean and to be mindful of the different cancers that can afflict people. She emphasized the need for people to be aware of the dangers of promiscuity.
God states in the bible that, “My people die because of lack of knowledge”. United Methodists taking from that believe in continuous learning hence the teaching by Dr Mutasa.
In between the teaching and preaching the congregants came together in praise through song led by the two guest choirs. This greatly uplifted those present.
Rev Makaniko took to the floor and posed the question, “Why are you still alive”. He went into the theology of how during Job’s time the people believed that whatever calamity befell you, was because you would have sinned against God. He dissuaded people from that belief and went on to show through many examples that the reason why those of us who are alive are in fact alive is because we are supposed to give testimony of God’s goodness. He said hardships come to strengthen our belief and to mould our faith and so that God’s glory can be seen. One must have first hand information about God’s grace. Christian life without testimony is fragile, he said. Rev Makaniko said that a Christian who has undergone the days of fasting must have a certain mettle and strength of character derived from the fast and the closeness forged with God.
Bernard Banda was the last to speak of the invited speakers and had congregants in stitches as he unpacked his topic which was Faith versus Fear. He said Fear is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real.
He said Christians should walk by faith not by sight and that faith is absolute it does not waver.
He said to displace fear one should acknowledge that one has faith and that one should release one’s faith through words. One should not allow any negativity in one’s life.
Fear is the complete opposite of faith. Fear short circuits the power of God. It brings bondage and torment, it paralyses what God can do. Fear is of the devil, it is the key he uses to manipulate children of God. Fear gives you insecurity.
In his message of dismissal Rev Simon Matara urged people to begin to see God in the many things around them.
END……..