The World Day of Prayer (WDP) service, with service materials written by Zimbabwe women, was held at Park Place in Canora. Organizers reported that attendance was excellent, and the meeting place was full.
After welcome and greetings by Pastor Mavis Watson, the Prayer of Praise was shared from Zimbabwe:
“God of peace and freedom, we welcome you in our midst.
“We praise you for your love which surpasses all understanding.
“We praise you for who you are now and forever.
“You are an amazing God.
“Creator God, we praise you for the natural resources we are called to care for, like the vegetation, minerals, big animals, waterfalls and forests of Zimbabwe.
“You are a gracious God.
“Jesus, we praise you for the gifts of respect, human dignity, the love for one another, and for the friendliness of Zimbabwe’s hardworking people.
“You are the Bread of Life.”
“Holy Spirit, we praise you for enabling us to gather in worship in Zimbabwe and around the world.
“You are the Spirit of truth to unify us in prayers and action. Amen”
The information provided stated that, “Since 2017, Zimbabwe has been going through changes in government. People, ecumenical organizations and churches are actively raising awareness for a peaceful transition.
“The 2018 national election saw a great number of young people and first-time voters,” the information continued. “And peacefully, we went to the polls, even though tensions were still present afterwards. We continue praying and educating ourselves to be peace builders, and standing for reconciliation in our land.”
Pastor Watson shared the sermon, “What do you Want,” based on John 5: 2-9, where a man who had been an invalid for 38 years was healed in the healing waters at Bethesda with encouragement and forgiveness of his sins from Jesus.
“We see throughout scripture that Jesus did this on a couple of occasions,” said Watson. “The Gospel of Mark gives an account in Chapter 2 of when Jesus was in Capernaum, and a paralytic was brought to him on a pallet. But the house was so full that his friends couldn’t get through to Jesus.
“So what did they do? They were determined to get help for their friend. So they climbed onto the roof of that house, broke open the ceiling and lowered the paralytic down into the house from a hole in the roof.
“Well Jesus didn’t just heal the man. No, in fact the first thing that He did was to forgive him of his sins. Then He healed him.
“We can note that on this occasion as well, Jesus is in the midst of where the people are gathered, this time, at the Pool of Bethesda. There lays another paralytic man,” continued Watson. “We are told that he has been there for 38 years waiting for the stirring of the miracle waters so that he might fall into the pool, guaranteeing his healing. But this time, The Healer himself is amongst them. And Jesus walks up to the man and strikes up an interesting conversation. He asks him, “Do you want to be healed?” Odd question considering where they are.
“Note that this event also took place on the Sabbath, for which Jesus was severely criticized by the religious leaders. But that wasn’t unusual. Being Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus knew the rules and decided that what matters is people. When limits deter us from reaching out to those around us who are in need, then those directives must be challenged. For they have moved from the realm of dictates to the realm of graceless law. And Jesus came to fulfill the Law.
“But Jesus always knows what He’s doing. When He asks the man, “Do you want to be healed?” He is challenging him to consider what being made well will do to him, how it will affect his life and his lifestyle.
“Because, you see, big life changes always bring about significant challenges that we rarely consider when answering the question of whether or not we really want that change. Things would have changed drastically and suddenly for this paralytic man. He would be expected to no longer be a burden on society or his family, to become a labourer, a worker and a contributor who would now help others.
“And so Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter with him before He offers to say, “Take up his mat and walk.”
“The Lord is still putting out the challenge even to us today. He is saying, “If you don’t have to live with a particular difficulty; if you don’t have to struggle with it; if you don’t have to suffer from it, then why would you? I am here to challenge you to consider My offer of a changed life, all you have to do is to say, ‘Yes.’”
“So I would make that challenge to us today, why not see what the Lord can do for us; what He has in store for us. Why not take up our bed and walk? Walk away by faith from the things in ourselves that we are tired of having afflict us and trust Jesus to heal them. I know He is well able to and I am certain that He wants to. Let’s pray.”
“And like the man let down through the roof by his friends, Jesus is the forgiver of sins.
“I am encouraged to see what Jesus has in store for us. My sins are forgiven; I have been redeemed. Why then, would I shy away from any possible future and blessing from the Lord.
“I don’t want to become too comfortable in my difficulties that I miss out on what God has for me.
“When Jesus asks me what I want, my answer will be, “I want You, Lord, and all that You have for me.”
“Amen.”
