The deaths of Tanzania’s John Magufuli, announced today, and Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza last summer feed discussion over God’s approach to corporate sin and repentance.
During a recent prayer service at Rugombo Pentecostal Church in the Cibitoke area of Burundi’s capital Bujumbura, more than a hundred worshipers followed pastor Joseph Ndayizeye as he led congregants in prayer.
He addressed the ongoing pandemic, stating that God is punishing human beings for their sins.
“It is not normal for the virus to invade the country and even kill the president,” prayed Ndayizeye, referring to President Pierre Nkurunziza who died of COVID-19 last June, age 55. “God punished us with the coronavirus pandemic because of our sins. Let us repent our sins and ask God for forgiveness and our prayers will be heard.”
His prayer is mirrored across the country of almost 12 million people. Many religious leaders in Burundi are reminding their congregants that God is angry with mankind for constantly sinning without repenting.
Ndayizeye noted that Burundian authorities have continued to commit serious human rights abuses, including killings, raping, and beatings of civilians and detainees with widespread impunity.
“You cannot kill innocent people and promote evil like same-sex marriage and go unpunished,” he warned. “But our God is merciful. When we pray to him, there’s nothing impossible. He will defeat the coronavirus and we will be free.”
The East African nation has recorded about 2,300 coronavirus cases, with 3 fatalities. In response, the country has intensified prayers and sought divine intervention in the fight against the deadly virus.
Although the country has closed its borders as new measures against the pandemic, officials in the landlocked nation said they have no plans to accept COVID-19 vaccines after the health minister, Thaddee Ndikumana, expressed ...
from Christianity Today Magazine
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