ZAMBIA

COLONISED BY BRITAIN (1888 -1964) Zambia got its name from the Mighty Zambezi River. The name Zambezi comes from the Lunda expression Nzambi enzi which literally means “God Come”. SLAVERY - During the second half of the 19th century, Zambia was convulsed by traders, raiders, and invaders who came from all surrounding areas mainly for ivory and slaves. COLONIALISM - At the end of the 19th century, Zambia came under British rule. British interest in the region had first been aroused by the missionary and explorer David Livingstone. Livingstone’s reports of the expanding slave trade inspired other missionaries to come to central Africa and continue the struggle against it, but it was the mining magnate Cecil Rhodes who ensured that so much country north as well as south of the Zambezi came within a British sphere of influence during the “Scramble for Africa.” Zambia became an independent country in 1964 and is one of the few countries that transitioned peacefully from colonial rule to independence. Zambia, best known for the Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, is a country with abundant resources and high literacy rates. The stable politics, along with the country’s beauty, has made it one of the top tourist destinations in Africa. The nation's economy is heavily dependent on copper, and it is one of the world's largest producers of the metal.

HOW DID CHRISTIANITY GET THERE? Christianity is believed to have arrived in Zambia in the form of European Protestant missionaries and African explorers during the mid of 19th century. David Livingstone inspired abolitionists of the slave trade, explorers and missionaries. He led the way in Central Africa for missionaries who initiated education and healthcare projects for Africans.

CHURCH TODAY: Zambians practice freedom of all religions. 95.5% are Christian; 2.7% are Muslim. Many people combine Christianity and indigenous beliefs.

PRAYER POINTS

• Pray for deep healing, repentance, restitution and restoration for the wounds caused by slavery and colonialism.
• Praise God for real growth in the church of Zambia. Pray for an ongoing commitment by Zambians to be a Christian nation that honours God.
• Pray for the development of training programs that will raise up educationally and spiritually equipped leaders. Pray that God will raise up good teachers and trained pastors.
• Pray for wisdom in tackling the extreme poverty and the devastating HIV/AIDS crisis.
• Pray that the church of Zambia will fulfil Jesus’ prayer from John 17: to be one with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
• Pray that God would grow a spiritual fervency among Zambian believers, sending them out with the Gospel to the lost, poor, sick, and spiritually needy.
• Ask the Lord to bless Zambia and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

WEEKLY WORLDWIDE MORAVIAN WATCHWORD

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory. Isaiah 6:3

PRAYER

Lord, we acknowledge You as the Triune God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Lord thank You that You are ever-present in our lives. Renew our lives and fill us anew with Your Spirit. Amen.