The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has called upon the churches to organise a day of prayer on 19 February, emphasising in particular two main points: the 2023 Legislative Assembly elections and persecuted Christians and churches in India.

NBCC general secretary Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho requested the churches to organise prayer walks in the neighbourhoods and to gather people together in designated locations from 6am to 7am. He further suggested that local churches could, at their own discretion, organise “other creative prayer activities throughout the day, including your worship services”.

Assembly elections

On the state elections set to take place on 27 February, Rev Keyho stressed upon the necessity to vote responsibly for a better future. Pointing out that the elections present an opportunity for people to speak their mind with their vote and give them, allowing them the power to change the course of the future, he stated: “We must cast our vote to elect God fearing leaders, leaders who will honorably lead us for the next five years to come.”

Highlighting the Clean Election Movement, Rev Keyho reminded all not to surrender their rights or allow the movement to fail “because of our greed and short term gratification”. The church has taken the challenge of the clean election movement seriously as its “spiritual responsibility to fight against a system which has gone weary over the years,” he stated.

“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 reverend further wrote.

The NBCC has given the following prayer points for the assembly elections:

• Pray so that our members, all over the state, will exercise judiciously their sacred duty and right to vote in the coming general election for the good of the State by choosing leaders who would listen to the people and respond effectively to their anxieties and needs
• Pray for peaceful Voting Day
• Pray that voters will cast their vote without influence or intimidation
• Pray for 183 candidates that they will remain humble and do things that will honor God
• Pray for discernment and wisdom for voters that the fear of God and to honor God will prevail

Persecuted Christians in India

On the issue of Christians being persecuted in India, the NBCC general secretary pointed out that while India is presented as a secular country, Christians and members of other minority religious groups suffer daily and indicated to an “anti-minority regime” that is “working hard behind the curtain” of pro-development.

The reverend stated that “majority religious leaders in the public square and platforms” have openly advocated hatred against the religious minorities which has created “a deep sense of insecurity” among minority groups.

“Christians do not need any special treatment we only need equal protection and equal freedom. We only need to be respected and our rights be honored. This we ask of the country because we believe in secular India where everyone is free to profess and practice his/her faith without fear,” the NBCC general secretary stressed.

On this issue, the following prayer points have been given:

• Pray for the communal forces working against Christians in India that they will be brought to justice
• Pray for the Christians to stand firm in their faith
• Pray for those who are falsely accused and are in prison without trial
• Pray for pastors facing pressure because of their ministry work
• Pray for boldness and God’s protection for believers and their families in India
• Pray that people in authority will rule the country justly with human face and deal sternly with those who sow the seed of hatred

In conclusion, Rev Keyho wrote: “As we set February 19 as a day of prayer for election in Nagaland and the persecuted Christians in India, let us do so in a repenting spirit. Let us pray that God will heal our land and that His purpose will be established.”