We are on the Fourth Week of Lent, and John 9 is one of the readings of the Lectionary for the week. This healing story is similar to the one in John 5:1-9a, which is the basis for the worship service written by WDP Zimbabwe for our common day of prayer in 2020.

Our Zimbabwe sisters inspired us to think of healing as transformation. “Jesus empowers us to be made well by doing something for the transformation that God is offering – to rise and take up our mat, whatever that may be for us, and walk.”

​Healing is at the center of people’s minds and actions to stop the transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID19).

What are some of the things we can do?

• Be united in prayers from our home;
• Creatively connect with friends and family via social media;
• Be informed and share information about the local health resources available if somebody feels sick;
• The World Health Organizations indicates basic protective measures:
  1. wash your hands frequently;
  2. practice physical distance;
  3. avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth;
  4. and cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing;

Healing comes in many ways, and we are all part of it. God is with us, always.

Share with us your prayers, poems, songs with words of hope, love, healing and care.

When washing your hands, offer a prayer. The prayer that Jesus taught us can be done in 20 seconds.

For more information, visit the WHO website.

For many years we have made plans to overcome the situations or troubles we face in Zimbabwe, but we are fast realising that there are no more plans to make. We are weary of the situations we are facing, we have nowhere to go but to God and to humble ourselves before God in prayer.

Rain has been dolefully inadequate but paradoxically some areas have been flooded out. When engulfed by troubles, we need to remember to rely on our faith in God. When we look at the situations around us, we see why we cannot sort ourselves out, or why we can no longer "make a plan." And we may ask ourselves, what do we want from Jesus? Do we want to be healed? Do we want to accept what Jesus is offering? Pray that we may be obedient to Rise, Take Up Our Mats and Walk.

The month of March is here! We are so excited and expectant to receive the breakthrough that will change the situations of Zimbabwe.  Zimbabwe will never be the same. We all Rise, Take Up Our Mats and Walk towards the blessings Jesus has for us, blessings of LOVE, PEACE and RECONCILIATION in our homes, communities, countries and the world.

In preparations for the WDP program, we are expanding our ecumenical relationship, serving our communities in need, and organizing the celebrations. We were busy collecting things to donate to the victims of cyclone Idai, we held training sessions on making reusable sanitary pads and bead work with care givers and children with disabilities, and now we are inviting everyone around Zimbabwe and outside of Zimbabwe to come and celebrate with us.

The steering committee meets frequently to pray and plan an intense program for March. There will be WDP worship services in several churches on March 6. Then we are inviting all to come to the World Day of Prayer Zimbabwe Celebration Day on March 26. It will be held at City Sports Center, Harare, from 09h00 to 14h00.

The Celebration Day will have the participation of many organizations such as the Girls Guides, Scripture Union, and the Salvation Army women’s band. Women’s choirs from several churches will form together one huge choir to sing the worship service songs. A Market Fair will showcase the best of Zimbabwean women entrepreneurs’ products in fashion, jewelry, household items, pottery, basketry, crotchet products, wood carvings, and much more.

God has shown us favor to have the whole world praying with us. Everyone is so joyful. We thank you for joining us from wherever you are. We feel the blessing coming towards us.

Together we will sing:

By the WDP Zimbabwe Committee
*Words and music by Sylvia Marowa, WDP Zimbabwe. ©WDPIC.