Hundreds of people attended the inaugural service of ‘Naga National Prayer Day’ held under the aegis of Council of Nagalim Churches (CNC) at Agri Expo Sunday on the theme “Pray without ceasing”.
Message of NSCN (I-M) chairman Q Tuccu was read out by CNC president Rev D Heutui Zeme which made a call for a solemn pledge of allegiance to God’s irrevocable covenant with Naga people. Tuccu urged upon people to remind themselves that they cannot pursue their political struggle and defend their God-given rights without Christ leading them, adding it was the reality they had to understand now and always. He stressed this was the meaning of the political movement under the banner of Nagalim for Christ,as there was no other way forward to sustain “our movement when we placed under the crucial juncture in order to bring yielding temperament on the part of the Government of India to respect and honour the historical and political rights.”
Tuccu said the need today was for justice and unity of a people who were one in God’s creation and purpose. He appealed for pleading with God to intercede that Naga people had the courage and wisdom to know that they were one in transpiring the dream of Naga nation by building the truth of Naga history. (Full text on p-6)
Delivering a message of repentance and prayer, Rev Dr VK Nuh of Naga Archive and Research Centre, Dimapur, lamented that like the Israelites, who were slow to learn despite many miracles from God, Naga people also suffered in the same way and faced all kinds of tragedies for the last 75 years.
He emphasised “We refuse to believe His wonderful deliverance and we believe that no power on earth can stop us to enter promised land, we trusted on our own powers and fought to extend the factional supremacy.”
He called for reminding the growing generation how their forefathers made covenant with God. He urged NSCN (I-M) and GPRN/NSCN to forgive and forget other national workers’ deeds for national reconciliation and to have national salvation. Likewise, he said NNC and FGN must admit the past mistakes and accept other remnant national workers for national rebirth.
“Today, as we see the rust and rot of Naga people, we have no hope of a future till we accept the truth. The only option left for Naga people is we have to say sorry with national repentance,” he underlined.
(Full text on p-6)
Delivering a message of God’s forgiveness and blessing, Nagaland Joint Christian Forum vice-president Rev Dr N Paphino said repentance could not be received without forgiveness, adding that one needed change in order to repent.
He mentioned that in order to receive repentance and forgiveness, one needed change for his or her mistake, which was important in the eyes of God, as repentance was the foundation.
In the current context of Nagas Rev.Paphino lamented divide along tribal lines, groups, factions and churches have become the order of the day.
A short message on God’s purpose for Nagas was delivered by NSCN (I-M) vice-chairman Tongmeth Wangnao
“Responsive Reading and Prayer of Consecration” was proposed by Nagaland Baptist Church Council’s (NBCC) former general secretary Rev Dr Pongsing Konyak, while a patriotic song was presented by Makuilongdi Lun Choir, a prayer of repentance for the sins of forefathers and present generation was proposed by NJCF treasurer Rev Moses Murry, prayer of blessing for Naga nation, every family and national leadership was proposed by Fellowship of Naga Baptist Associations (FNBA) general secretary Rev H Gedeon and prayer, confession of faith in the Saviour, “Our commitment to the cause, and our pledge to Naga Flag and Constitution, the embodiment of our National identity and sovereign power” was proposed by Presbyterian Church of India (PCI), Haflong Rev Deisaung Pame, Area Pastor Zeme Presbytery.
The moderator for the event was Rev Dr Fr Godfrey Vilasal Thapo, director of Global Holistic Health Centre, Jalukie, Peren, while secretary for the event was Elvis Chishi Swu, undersecretary of Youth Leader, CNC.