Cleric publishes prayer manual
THIS column has in the past explored fiction, motivational and even educational books.
But this time around, I would like to look at an entirely different type of writing — Christian books.
There have always been disagreements over which book was the first-ever publication in the world with many believers vouching for the Bible.
True, the Bible must have been one of the first books and when looking at publications that have come up as offshoots of the Bible, there are so many of them. Their primary purpose is worshipping and advancing ministry.
For many, religious sermons are not planned and are impromptu while others do plan them carefully, giving them order.
Devotionals are also a part of religious publications that are aimed at supplication. The value of devotionals is renewed given that December carries one of the major holidays in any year, Christmas Day, which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Trymore Kufakunesu — who is founder and leader of Christian Embassy Apostolic Church — has come up with a devotional for the month of December titled “The Antidote”. The cleric describes 2021 as “The Year of Extraordinary Ability” adding that since it is coming to a close, the devotional will prime readers and worshippers for triumph in the coming year.
Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Mail Society, the Beitbridge-based cleric said: “The Bible says go ye therefore and preach the gospel to every part of the world. So it’s a way of spreading the Word, especially where we can’t reach physically. Those who go through the devotional can actually walk a Christian life. So, in a way, I will be ministering through these.
“The daily devotional will help you jump-start your day . . . , equipping you to be refreshed, transformed and positioned for a day-to-day experience of success and victory as you go through the life-changing thoughts inscribed in the daily devotional. It helps you to be open-minded on various issues of life, strengthening your faith.”
The book, though small, teaches people to rise to the challenges, overcome grievances and start living with the purpose by walking according to God’s principles. Many will wonder if there is anything new in that and whether it is worth sitting down and writing about. But, the world is encountering many challenges. Today, the world is battling with the Covid-19 pandemic and the latest variant — Omicron — which is coming as the fourth wave in most countries and has divided nations.
The exact origin of the Covid-19 variant is not known, but the West has been quick to ban travellers from Southern African countries among them South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini and Lesotho. However, evidence is emerging that the virus had been detected in Europe much earlier.
This is not the only challenge as natural disasters, famine and other diseases have plagued the world all along. The Word will strengthen humanity and give them the ability to proffer solutions for challenges that manifest along the way. The devotional attempts to drive individual worshippers towards shaping their destinies within the spiritual realm.
Through the guidelines given, the worshipper’s spiritual life, goals and success is programmed into days, years and seasons. The daily devotional is easy to use as it guides the reader to a specific day of the month, with each day focussing on a specific biblical theme.
For instance, the message for December 3, replete with its prayer guide and prophetic declaration, reads in part:“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life . . . when we block its flow with issues that have no place in our born-again lives.
Things like sin, being unforgiving, any thoughts and conversations contrary to God’s word and nature. We guard our hearts by deliberately keeping our focus on whatever is in agreement with God’s will. Things that are pure, and right and uplifting instead of things that are destructive and erode our faith.
Today, choose to not become easily distracted by any negativity. Don’t allow things to steer you away from God’s truth and drag you down a path of discouragement and despair.”
Pastor Kufakunesu was born on September 9, 1988 as the sixth child in a family of seven in Musekiwa Village under Chief Ruzane in Wedza, Mashonaland East Province. He is married to Pamela Sibanda and the couple has three children.
The cleric attended St Stephen’s Makumure in Wedza for his primary education from 1996 to 2002, before moving to Wedza Growth Point where he did his secondary education at Wedza High School.
In 2014, he enrolled with Showers of Springs Theological Seminary for a twoyear Diploma with the Christian Embassy Apostolic Church opening its doors on August 8, 2019.