Beyond the political crisis which looms large in the eyes of the world, is the humanitarian crisis that is felt in Zimbabawe today.  Actually this humanitarian crisis has been present for quite some time on various levels, and will be the future for Zimbabwe for months and years to come.

Whether or not an election is held in Zimbabwe should not be the issue for the worldwide Christian community.  Our overridding issue should be concerned with the needs of the Zimbabwean people both spiritual and physical.

In these days of crisis, people are searching for hope.  The faith they may once have had in their circumstances or in their future has evaporated.  They can not trust in their retirement saving which at the current rate of inflation in Zimbabwe is now worthless.  Their day to day lives have become tenuous to say the least.  Those without Christ feel helpless and hopeless.  Those with Christ need to share the hope that dwells within them.   Christians around the world must pray for Godly intervention in a godless situation.

Daniel 2:20-22 says,

"...Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.  He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him."

Nothing takes God by surprise. He knows what lies in darkness - wickedness does not go unseen by our God.  He reveals deep and hidden things. 

The IMB has no stance on the politics of any country.  We are neutral in every respect. We do however take a stance on spiritual and human need.  The call is out for every Christian to pray for the people of Zimbabwe that they may take the comandments found in God's word to heart. Love one another.

• John 13:34
  A new command I give you: Love one another As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
  
• John 13:35
  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
  
• Romans 13:8
  Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
  
• Ephesians 4:2
  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
  
• Hebrews 10:24
  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds

**excerpt from a prayer letter of a pastor in Harare:

"A church member has just come in and shared how she travelled to a near by town, on the way was stopped at 2 Police road blocks and made to chant slogans. A young man in the church witnessed youths stopping a minibus, pulling out the driver and beating him on the street, without reprisal, without police interference. We have more and more people coming to the church in need of help as a result of political violence and intimidation. Reports come to our ears daily of acts of torture and oppression and violence, people are rounded up in areas and made to attend party rallies. Abductions happen regularly, murders occur and are unreported.  

...Churches have been stopped in fact from distributing food, even an organisation that feeds street children was told to stop operations. Our own food distribution we keep as low key as possible, how tragic, to live in an environment when doing good has to be done in secret, lest it be seen and stopped. Many of our church folk learn the slogans of the day for their own protection, minibuses plaster themselves with party posters as a form of protection. We cancelled our youth meetings last night and encourage people to be off the streets during the evening."

The world is so concerned in who will lead Zimbabwe.  We, as Christians, need to pray that God will move the people of Zimbabwe to love one another.  If Zimbabweans treated one another with brotherly love there would be no election violence. Food aid would be garnered and distributed gladly. Donors would be happily received and thanked for their generousity. There would be no beatings and killings. Oh God that we would fall on our knees before you in petition for the people of Zimbabwe.  This is the message the Christian community should be trumpetting forth Love one another!

Click here to read about relief efforts in Zimbabwe