GITEGA June 20th ABP) – The presidential family organized a three-day prayer to give thanks to God on the occasion of the first anniversary of the President of the Republic of Burundi, Mr. Evariste Ndayishimiye, at the high-level leadership of the country.
The festivities centered on the word of God found in the Book of Colossians, chapter 3, verse 13, began on June 17, 2021 and took place in the Magarama quarter, in the political capital of the country, Gitega (central Burundi). They saw the participation of all socio-professional categories of people, namely parliamentarians, members of the government, senior officials of the State, representatives of different religious denominations and a lot of people dominated mainly by those coming from the Gitega district and its surroundings.
An atmosphere of joy reigned in that site, following the groups of choristers who took turns on the podium to deliver faith songs while dancing. The messages conveyed in those songs proclaimed praise to the Almighty for keeping President Ndayishimiye in His will. The latter joined the choristers to also show off his joy.
Subsequently, he addressed the audience and called on the people to be in order with God, indicating to them that He loved Burundi so much, like the Promised Land, Israel. “Like the Israelis, the Burundians have had a painful history, but thanks to God they have gone through it,” President Ndayishimiye said. Much more, he added, God has showered Burundi with grace, citing, among other things, clear water, fertile land, a single people with the same culture.
Thus, President Ndayishimiye urged the Burundians to praise the heavenly Lord forever. He also recommended that they do battle with evil, such as injustice, theft of the public treasury and adultery, explaining that these sins arouse the wrath of God who, therefore, retorts with strong punishments. He praised the good deeds left by his predecessor in Burundi, the late President Nkurunziza, arguing that they resulted from the humility he embodied towards God.
Previously, Burundi Senate Emmanuel Sinzohagera had preached to the audience. He asked the audience to work in the will of the Almighty, highlighting the values of humility, forgiveness, reconciliation and compassion, in the image of the Creator, he said.