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Prayer for peace in Southern Africa
Originally appeared on spirituality.com
Violence in Southern Africa seems to be on the rise. Zimbabweans are being persecuted by Robert Mugabe’s political operatives in his struggle to hold on to power as the runoff election approaches on June 27. Meanwhile, immigrants in South Africa, which include a sizeable number of people who have fled Zimbabwe, have come under murderous attack. In this case, the trouble came about through frustrated citizens who are hardly better off than the immigrants. Accused of taking jobs and resources, at least 22 individuals have been killed, and more have been injured.
Such violence seems incomprehensible thousands of miles away, and yet in an environment where hunger, frustration, and danger are daily companions, it may seem understandable. In our prayers for these individuals and nations, perhaps the first thing we need to address is the fear that drives it.
This fear may take different forms—such as fear of loss—of job, home, status, or even life. The Bible makes clear that the antidote to fear is love. It declares: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
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