Churches in Nagaland pray for peaceful State Assembly Election

Morung Express News 
Dimapur/Kohima | February 19

Churches across Nagaland, on Sunday, prayed for a peaceful state assembly election scheduled for February 27.

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) had set February 19 as a day of prayer for election in Nagaland and the persecuted Christians in India.

Accordingly, the respective churches prayed for peaceful voting day.

It also prayed for voters to cast their vote without influence or intimidation.

It prayed for 183 candidates that “they will remain humble and do things that will honor God” and also prayed for “discernment and wisdom for voters that the fear of God and to honor God will prevail.”

Earlier, NBCC General Secretary, Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho had stated: “Election is one given opportunity in five years. We should not surrender our rights as responsible voters. We must be guided by our faith to do the right thing. We should not allow the Clean Election Movement to go unrewarded and disappears in thin air because of our greed and short term gratification.”

“Let this election moment be a defining moment for the Nagas. Vote for your future and vote to honor God. Clean election is possible and it is just one resolute decision away” the NBCC stated.

The churches in Nagaland also prayed for Christians “suffering all over India.”

The believers prayed for the Christians to stand firm in their faith. They also prayed for those who are “falsely accused and are in prison without trial,” for pastors facing pressure because of their ministry work, for boldness and God’s protection for believers and their families in India.

It also prayed that people in authority “will rule the country justly with human face and deal sternly with those who sow the seed of hatred.”

‘Heal our Land’ prayer rally organised by NJCF & CFD in Dimapur 
In Dimapur hundreds of citizens congregated for the prayer rally called by the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) and Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) in association with the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) on February 19, at Naga Shopping Arcade, Super Market. Based on the theme, "Heal our Land," the rally aimed to bring together all church leaders and believers to pray for those persecuted in the name of religion, particularly the Christians, well-being of the leaders of India and for a clean, fair & free election in Nagaland.

The prayer points for the programme were presented by various speakers. Rev Vitoshe Swu, Vice Chairman of CFD, in his address called upon the gathering to pray for the persecuted religious minorities, particularly the Christians in India.

Nini Sekhose, Treasurer of CFD, prayed for the nation and its leaders, including political leaders, heads of constitutional and judiciary, heads of defence and bureaucrats, etc. Rev Dr P Dozo, Advisor of CFD, prayed for state political leaders, public leaders, clean, fair & free elections, while Fr Chacko Karinthayil, Advisor of CFD, requested prayers for the young generation of the nation and state. 

Meanwhile the NJCF also came out with a statement expressing its displeasure against the intimidation and threat meted out against Christian minorities across the country and recently in Assam as well. They mentioned that divisive politics propagated along religious lines by certain groups has no place in a secular, democratic country like India. Politics should work to unite the nation and not divide the nation, they stated. 

Furthermore, as Nagaland was currently in the midst of its state assembly elections, the NJCF reaffirmed its commitment for the clean election movement without threat, intimidation or outside influence. In this regard, they called upon the citizens to exercise their franchise with confidence to elect the right leaders who will safeguard their rights in the state.      

The closing remarks were given by Rev L Kari Longchar, and the vote of thanks was presented by Rev Fr Dr CP Anto, Secretary of CFD.

The program ended with the closing song "Onward Christian Soldiers" and a closing prayer by Khontele Seb. The program was organized in association with NBCC and urged all attendees to come together and pray for the betterment of their nation, state, and leaders

Earlier, the program began with praise and worship led by the Golden Crown Theological College, followed by an invocation and introduction by Rev Moses Murry, Chairman of CFD. The program committee included Rev Dr N Tzudir, Advisor, CFD, and Rev Dr N Paphino, Vice President of NJCF.