Peace Pledge Signing Ceremony

Created: Wednesday, 27 June 2018 22:21
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Message on behalf of ZHOCD at the Peace Pledge Signing Ceremony.

MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF THE ZIMBABWE HEADS OF CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS (ZHOCD), ON THE OCCASION OF THE PEACE PLEDGE SIGNING CEREMONY, HELD AT HARARE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE (HICC), 26 JUNE 2018

The Journey Towards The Zimbabwe We Want- Seek Peace and Pursue It!

“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” - Psalm 34; 14

“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor” - 1 Corinthians 10; 24

Salutations

All protocol is observed.

This is the day that the Lord has made, and we shall rejoice and be glad indeed.

Under the face of the Sun, there is a time for everything; today and now is the time to make public commitments for peace before, during and after the harmonized elections. This comes against the historical record of politically motivated violence during our elections, even sadly with the loss of lives, destroyed livelihoods and private property.

As we witness the Peace Pledge Signing Ceremony today, we are reminded of the Lord’s teaching:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God” - Matthew 5:9

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” - John 13:34

The Church learning from the Lordship of Jesus Christ seeks to preach, teach and make disciples of the nation in conformity with the Kingdom of God.

Message to Political Parties and aspiring Leaders

All political candidates and political parties seeking election must understand that:

  1. No one can independently solve the challenges that bedevil our Zimbabwe - we need inclusive governance which demands tolerance and accommodation of diversity, humility is the virtue to greatness,
  2. The nation is looking for principled leadership, be they men or women, young or old. Intergenerational mix is crucial; it is time that competent, disciplined and faithful people take responsibility to lead God’s people in the ways of the Lord and for the prosperity of the nation.
  3. The Leaders We Want are Servants, Shepherds and Stewards not Masters, Dictators or Hirelings. Zimbabweans deserve leaders who love their people; who are competent and with a clear direction on taking the country forward. We urge you leaders to put the Common Good ahead of individual or sectarian and even foreign interest.

Today,

Not only are Zimbabweans in this room or those watching over various media platforms are witnesses to this your commitment:

Not only is the SADC, and the African Union (AU) but also the whole world as witnesses to this your commitment:

Beyond is a great crowd of Heavenly witnesses to this your commitment.

Zimbabweans have long yearned for peaceful elections; it takes your leadership to deliver on this yearning.

We urge the Church of Jesus Christ to offer all kinds of prayers and thanksgiving continually (1 Timothy 2:1-5). As the Church, we commit to walk with all aspiring Councilors, Parliamentarians, Senators and Presidential candidates in upholding the commitments made today (Amos 3:3).

We urge all citizens of goodwill to Go out and Vote on the 30th of July 2018, doing so in peace and humility.

May the Almighty God, in whose hands our future lies, grant us as Zimbabweans the strength, the courage, the humility, and the grace to rebuild our Great Zimbabwe.

In this endeavor, we continue to implore the guidance of the Almighty God.

May the Almighty God bless Zimbabwe and her people.

Amen.