17/07/2020
In the midst of COVID 19 pandemic the president of Malawi had this to say:
"....ours is a hope that inspires us to pray that our concerted efforts happen under favorable conditions and lead to favorable outcomes. We have the privilege of living in a society where we are as free to worship according to the dictates of our conscience within the law as we are to not worship at all. As such, no public office or state institution can be used to coerse any citizen to pray. Even so, the law does not forbid public officials from practicing their faith publicly, but rather allows it even in the act of being sworn into office by placing their hands on the holy book of whatever faith they profess or none at all. In my case, it is no secret that I am the first Head of State who is also an ordained minister, and so I have chosen to couple my efforts against the pandemic with prayer and fasting from today until Saturday and to invite those of you who are religious to do the same.
This is an invitation and a call to prayer for your consideration, not a decree for your compliance. I have no power to force you to pray at all or to pray a certain way, any more than I have the power to make you wash your hands or wear a mask. I only continue to champion these measures out of my belief that the power to create social change is not in Government, but in you making the most of the opportunities provided by God. It is He who has not only given us the strength to work hard and smart in defending ourselves against this merciless viral army, but has also given us the faith to seek His help as we fight. Therefore, we will never sibstitute our work with prayer, but will always conjoin the work we ourselves must do and the work only God can. Orare est laborare.
At Your Service,
Lazarus M. Chakwera,
State President
16.07.20"
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