National Prayer events merged

By NATION REPORTER GOVERNMENT has announced that this year’s October 18 National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation will be incorporated into a combined national prayer event scheduled for December 29, 2026. The merging of the national prayer events follow President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive designating December 29 as National Prayer Day, replacing the annual October 18 observance introduced by late former President Edgar Lungu. The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has, however, expressed disappointment that a request to hold the October 18 prayers for the last time this year before implementing the merger was not accepted. Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice-President, Ndiwa Mutelo, said the decision followed further consultations and guidance on implementing the merger of the national prayer events. Mr Mutelo said a meeting between Church Mother Bodies and Vice-President Mutale Nalumango on September 30, 2026 had initially agreed that this year’s October 18 commemoration would proceed. “The meeting also agreed that this year’s celebration of the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation scheduled for October 18, 2026 will be the final before the combined one on the 29th of December, 2026,” Mr Mutelo said. He explained that subsequent consultations had resulted in a change to that arrangement. “However, following further consultations and guidance on the implementation of the merger, the October 18, 2026 National Prayers will not take place this year but churches are encouraged to continue praying during their respective Sunday services,” he said. Mr Mutelo urged Church Mother Bodies to focus their preparations on the combined national event scheduled for December 29. The October 18 observance, proclaimed in 2015, has brought together Christians from different denominations for prayers centred on national unity, repentance, reconciliation and Zambia’s wellbeing. CCZ secretary general Reverend James Phiri said Church Mother Bodies had asked government to allow one final October 18 commemoration this year, with the merged observance taking effect next year. He said the proposal had not been accepted. Rev Phiri expressed concern about the extent to which national prayer commemorations depended on decisions by political authorities, saying the Church needed greater ownership of events with religious significance. “It was a day which was given by politicians, and again, the politicians, they feel we don’t need it,” he said. He noted that the October 18 event had been introduced and commemorated under the Patriotic Front administration, and expressed concern that changes between administrations could affect continuity. Rev Phiri nevertheless stressed that the Church’s commitment to prayer and Christian values would continue regardless of the date selected for a national observance. “We will try our very best to protect the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation, and Zambia to remain a Christian nation,” he said. He said the State’s funding of national prayer events had contributed to the Church’s dependence on government arrangements, but urged Christians to place greater emphasis on their convictions and daily conduct.

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National Prayer events merged