CNC organises Naga National Prayer Day – Pray Without Ceasing
Morung Express New
Dimapur | October 17
Discerning the need to introspect and re-examine past mistakes in the context of the Naga-political struggle, Rev Dr VK Nuh, Chairperson, Naga Archive & Research Centre, Dimapur today stated that “through all the mistakes and wrong doings against God and against the people, we must come to our senses of penitence.”
Blaming and accusing each other will not solve the Naga problem until the people reach national repentance, he added, addressing the congregation of Naga people, from within and outside the state of Nagaland, during the inaugural service of the Naga National Prayer Day organised by Council of Nagalim Churches (CNC) at Agri Expo, Dimapur on October 16.
Rev Nuh recounted the story of the Israelites and their long, arduous journey to the promised land of Canaan. “God tested and gave them lessons to learn; to run a nation and to unite as a people.”
Consequently, for many years, Nagas have done wrong and gone astray. But God has never forsaken us and for which we are here today, he observed.
Six basic truths, mistakes
Rev Nuh also highlighted what he termed as six basic truths and mistakes which all the Naga political groups (NPGs) and Naga people should acknowledge and repend.
Firstly, the Naga National Council (NNC) leaders need to apologise for “inability to hold onto its national principles in preserving unity among its leaders,” he said.
The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) for signing the Shillong Accord (1975), creating “additional conflicts within Naga society,” he said.
Thirdly, Rev Nuh maintained that Th Muivah, late Isak Chishi Swu and late SS Khaplang also need to apologise for going against the ‘institution of the NNC by forming the NSCN on January 31, 1980.’
Naga people also need to apologise for forgetting the covenant of the 1951 plebiscite and getting “embroiled in state elections, by hook or crook, to run the government,” he added.
All the State’s political leaders also need repentance for not fulfilling their promises to bring political settlement according to their manifesto, he said.
Lastly, the Church bodies also have to apologise for ‘losing the divine voice, as per Biblical mandate, to challenge the bloodshed and violence in the land,’ he added.
“Throughout our history, we had gone against the will of the people and God. We must realise that the voice of the people is the voice of God,” Rev Nuh emphasised, while bearing in mind that unity is most crucial at this current juncture.
“Deliverance will come from God, not from India,” he asserted.
Of forgiveness and repentance
Meanwhile, a speech on behalf of Q Tuccu, Chairperson, NSCN (IM) was delivered by Rev D Heutui Zeme, President, CNC, underlining the call for the Naga people to have a solemn pledge of allegiance to God’s covenant.
Only by acknowledgement of these truths, the on-going talks with the Government of India be concluded in a respectable and honourable manner, he stated.
Tongmeth Wangnao, Vice Chairperson, NSCN (IM), on the other hand spoke on “message of God’s for the Nagas (Nagalim for Christ),” and expounded on the transformation of the Naga people, from a heathen society, to turning to the word of God.
As such, he reaffirmed the necessity to begin following the teachings of Christ in earnest, while stating that the Nagalim for Christ slogan should not be used as a ‘license for doing other immoral activities.’
Rev Dr N Paphino, Vice President, Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF), delivering on “message of God’s forgiveness and blessing,” propounded that without repentance there is no forgiveness and conversely, without forgiveness, there is no repentance.
To receive repentance and forgiveness, we need to change from the mistakes made in the past, he added.
Sharing biblical accounts of Nineveh, Noah and the flood, Abraham and his journey of faith, Moses and the Israelites, Rev Paphino noted that God has given free choice for the Naga people to decide on what needed to be done, and at the same time recognise the consequences of each decision and action, tied to God’s decision.
Rev Seksim Kasar, General Secretary, CNC giving the vote of thanks shared his appreciation to all the delegations from the churches, media fraternity and CSOs; special invitees, guests and speakers. He further thanked the Department of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, for the support and contribution extended to CNC in the form of idea, labour, finance, time and space to make the programme successful.
Source: https://morungexpress.com/repentance-re-commitment-to-god-crucial-for-nagas-rev-dr-vk-nuh
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