Christians seek end to cycle of hunger in Zimbabwe

Millions of Christians worldwide are expected to join in a day of prayer for Zimbabwe as the country continues to struggle with high unemployment and widespread food shortages.

The International Prayer Day for Zimbabwe takes place on September 26. The organisation behind it, LoveZim, is working to improve the lives of Zimbabwean farmers and is being supported by a coalition of organisations including the Evangelical Alliance and Tearfund.

They are helping LoveZim to raise enough money to provide agricultural training for 90,000 farmers, which they hope will be able to feed up to five million people over the next three years.

Although 2010 saw an improvement in the country’s harvests, the UN estimates that 1.7 million people are in need of emergency food aid.

Christians taking part in the day of prayer in Zimbabwe will be joined in their efforts by churches worldwide and in the UK, including some of the four million Zimbabweans living in exile.

“This is a call for all Christians in the UK, in Africa and in the world to participate in prayer action that can change Zimbabwe forever by ending the cycle of famine and poverty,” said Rev Levy Moyo, of the Council of Zimbabwe Christian Leaders UK.

Steve Clifford, General Director of The Evangelical Alliance said: “We believe that heartfelt prayer supporting action on the ground is a powerful and effective tool to help solve the problem of poverty in Zimbabwe.

“Christians in the UK hope to see Zimbabwe’s agricultural situation completely transformed for the benefit of Zimbabwe and the rest of the continent.”

To organise or join a prayer meeting, see the LoveZim website: www.lovezim.org