Anglican Council welcomes Merger of Prayers Day ..

Council Secretary General Reverend Father Jackson Katete said holding the two events on one day would reduce duplication of efforts and competition among organisers while encouraging collaboration within the Church.

He said the two events shared the same purpose of seeking God and giving thanks for Zambia’s declaration as a Christian nation.

“If you look at the outcome of the prayer, fasting and reconciliation, it is about seeking God and the other is about thanking God for the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation, which is all the same,” Fr Katete said.

He said the merger would also strengthen unity among Church mother bodies by bringing their efforts and contributions together.

“If we joined ventures together, then the level of unity within the Church will be exhibited immediately,” he said.

Fr Katete said combining the two events would also help address concerns over having too many public holidays at the expense of productivity.

“The other issue is having too many holidays at the expense of productivity. At least now this will help us have one purpose,” he said.

He added that the National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage was meant for all Zambians and not politicians alone, urging the Church to take the lead in promoting tolerance.

“All the prayers are being channelled to the same God; therefore, we would like to have a unification of efforts and contributions from all the church mother bodies,” he said.

Government recently issued Statutory Instrument Number 73 of 2026, declaring December 29 a public holiday to be known as the National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage, starting this year.

Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa also disclosed that Government had revoked Statutory Instrument Number 78 of 2015, which declared October 18 a public holiday.