TODAY, Zambians of all walks of life will assemble at selected convenient places across the country to observe National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance, and Reconciliation. This is an essential day for everyone as this is the time Zambians get together to repent and pray for themselves, other people, and for prosperity of our nation. Celebrating this day is important to the leadership of the country, especially that Zambia is a Christian nation. On this special day, bars and eateries are shut down for some hours so that people can concentrate on seeking divine guidance. On this day, we connect with God through prayer. We ask for forgiveness for the sins we have committed, and thank the Lord for His blessings and the gift of life. It is also cardinal on this day to remind the youth of the importance of prayer. Many of us have drifted away from our roots, hence these reminders are necessary. On this very significant day, all Zambians, irrespective of political affiliation, race, or region, gather with a unity of purpose to ask for forgiveness from God and also forgive those who might have trespassed against us. That is why we commend Government for inviting Zambians of different backgrounds, including former President Edgar Lungu, to attend the prayers because it is an occasion of national character. As Vice-President W.K. Mutale Nalumango aptly put it last evening when she launched 2022 National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance, and Reconciliation, today provides an opportunity to seek God with a unity of purpose. “As a nation, we recognise God as our Lord over our great nation, Zambia, and continue declaring that Zambia is for God and God is for Zambia in our pursuit of peace and prosperity of our great nation,” she said. For the country to experience the desired spiritual, social, economic, and political development, Zambians should be at peace with each other. “This is what we are known for in the region and beyond. This is what we want to sustain, and with prayer, it is a guaranteed milestone for Zambia,” Mrs Nalumango said. Praying together as a nation is one of the fundamental means of achieving the unity we cherish so dearly and the tenets of the spirit of the ‘one Zambia, one nation’ mantra.
This day is of supreme significance and should be devoid of politics because we are all seeking God’s hand in our individual lives, the reason why we should endeavour to grow the character of love and unity. By praying in unity as brothers and sisters, we are also seeking God’s intervention in our quest to continue promoting national unity, peace, and integration for a prosperous Zambia through hard work. This is why Government is encouraging all Zambians to participate in the activities lined up to commemorate this day. President Hakainde Hichilema will lead the way in observing this day by gracing the occasion, which has been commemorated on October 18 every year since 2015 when Zambians started observing it. It is, therefore, very important that we all observe the day because through prayer, God wants us to communicate with Him. God always listens to us when we pray. Prayer blesses us, our families, those we pray for, and our country at large. Praying also invites more peace into our lives, and helps us learn more about God’s plan for us and many other things.