Methodist leaders pray for elections free of violence in Zimbabwe

Methodist Church leaders in Britain are offering prayers thatthe people of Zimbabwe will be able to vote in forthcomingelections without fear of violence and intimidation.

In a letter to the Methodist people of Zimbabwe, the Presidentand Vice President of the Methodist Conference in Britain voicetheir dismay at recent unrest in Zimbabwe - and hope that violenceand intimidation will not damage next week's presidentialelections.

The Methodist President, the Rev Dr Christina Le Moignan, andVice President, Mrs Ann Leck, have today written to the PresidingBishop of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, the Rev Cephas Mukandi.In the letter, they offer their prayerful support in the weekbefore presidential elections in Zimbabwe over the weekend of 9-10March.

The full text of their letter follows:

"Greetings to you all in the name of Jesus Christ. We write asPresident and Vice President of the Methodist Church in Britain andon behalf of all British Methodists to assure you of our concernand prayers at this critical time in the history of yournation.

"We have been dismayed by the happenings of recent times andespecially of the last few months.

It has been painful to us to see the increase in violence andintimidation as the election has drawn closer and to see howcherished freedoms have been curtailed.

"We are sending you this message in the last few days before theelection to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with youall and will continue to be so during the election and afterwards.Despite many indications to the contrary, we hope that the electiondays will be free from violence; that people will be able to casttheir votes without difficulty or fear of intimidation; that theobservers from the region and around the world will be able tocarry out the task assigned to them unmolested; and that theelection count and announcement of the result will be undertaken inaccordance with the law.

"We have travelled our Christian pilgrimage together over manyyears - in good times and in difficult times, though war anddrought, through times of peace and plenty. In all these times thepeople of Zimbabwe have displayed great courage, perseverance and aresilient and joyous Christian faith.

We pray that you will gain great strength from your faith inthese testing times.

"We join with you in the words of a prayer by the Rev FaraiChirisa, one of your predecessors:

"Lord God, we are tempted to despair and yet keep hoping,knowing that you care.
At times we weep silent tears and cry out with deep emotion.
We come to you, our only hope and refuge.
Thank you for the gift of laughter, even when the going istough.
With you, O Lord, we may be troubled but not destroyed.
Amen."