BUJUMBURA, January 3rd (ABP) – From 28 to 31 December 2024, the presidential family is organising a prayer of thanksgiving in Bujumbura to thank God for all the benefits he has done for his family and the country throughout the year 2024.
The prayer was attended by members of the government, various national authorities and residents of Bujumbura town hall. It was organised under the theme ‘advice from people is not enough, we must get used to asking God for advice’.
The Head of State pointed out that that prayer had been organised at a time when the climate in the country was peaceful, and called on Burundians to remain united in anticipation of God’s promise to the country. Burundi has gone through several dark periods in its history,’ said President Ndayishimiye, adding that nothing will stop God’s promise.
He pointed out that since 2015 Burundi has been carrying out projects without waiting for aid from abroad, which shows that Burundi will be a developed country, because, he explained, God’s grace is with the Burundians.
‘If you put God in your activities, he will act and do important things,’ he continued. He therefore pointed out that it was time to build a developed Burundi, because in the past people dreamt of peace and life.
The Head of State did not fail to stress that in order to build a better Burundi, we will have to accept that God is in control, so that he himself can give the order to govern. He also stressed that 2025 is the year that will mark the start of the journey towards a developed Burundi. ‘Leaders who do not work properly will be removed and replaced by those who work in the interests of the people, in order to achieve that development’, the Head of State hammered home. He asked all leaders to evaluate themselves in order to abandon bad practices that sabotage development.
Referring to the word of God from Exodus 18, 19-23, where Moses took advice from his father-in-law to know how to govern well, Reverend Pastor Denise Nkurunziza pointed out that being advised by people is not enough, but that we must ask God for advice to govern well.
She asked the people of Burundi to carry out a self-assessment and for leaders to share tasks in different activities to avoid wasting time. Mrs Nkurunziza also announced that the country needs leaders who are not satisfied with practising corruption, but who put God before everything they do so that he can guide them.
Mrs. Nkurunziza asked the people of Burundi to always do good for others, because, she said, good always comes back to the person who did it. She also advised leaders to give thanks to God, by giving sacrifices as a sign of thanks to God.
On the second day of that prayer crusade, Burundians were called upon to respect their leaders.
Referring to the book of Exodus chapter 18 verses 19 to 23, the preacher of the day, Apostle Isidore Mbayahaga, said that the Israelites rebelled against Moses, even though he was the leader that God had chosen for them, forgetting that God had used him to lead them out of slavery in Egypt.
He invited all Burundians to always respect their leaders because, according to him, a leader, first of all, gives advice, but also punishes. He therefore called on them to have a spirit of listening and obedience in order to achieve the objectives of Burundi’s vision: an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060.
The prayer began with songs of praise and adoration.