Day of Prayer Showgrounds July 24, 2016 00The National House of Prayer invited political, military and religious leaders for a day of prayer on the 24th July 2016 at the showground situated in the capital of Lusaka under the theme; “Seeking God’s intervention: saying no to violence and committing to a peaceful election through forgiveness, tolerance, love and unity” (Isaiah 60: 18). The same event also took place in other parts of the country.

Thousands of people assembled in a joyful and prayerful atmosphere while various Bishops, Apostles, Pastors and Priests of various Churches presented their petitions to the Almighty God. In his call for worship, Father Charles Chilinda, from St. Ignatius Parish, asked forgiveness to the compassionate and Father of all for the violence being committed in the current political campaign. “Gracious God, we pray for peace in our communities this day. We commit to you all who work for peace and those who work to uphold law and justice. We pray for an end of fear, and an end to tensions. (…) God gives peace to all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace. In your mercy, hear our prayers, now and always. Amen.”

Father Serge St-Arneault, M.Afr, acted on behalf of Father Lupupa who could not attend the ceremony. In an improvised prayer, he called upon the blessing of God over men and women of the Zambia Police Service reminding them that their primary vocation and duty is to defend the poor, to bring justice and deliverance to the widows and the needy. The poor in Zambia want to be proud of men and women serving in uniforms to deliver peace in Zambia as they are those suffering first in times of political unrest and violence.

Inspired by this moment of prayer led by leaders of various Protestant, Catholic, Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches, Fr Serge, under the nickname of Father ‘Mbewe’ given to him while in Malawi years ago, also emphasised the need to put aside all kinds of discrimination, even those related to the colour of the skin. Using the famous slogan “One Zambia, One Nation”, he added, “One Colour!” “Whatever the colour of the skin, black or white, there is only one colour in Zambia; the colour of LOVE.”