Clean Election is possible, it is just one resolute decision away: NBCC

February 16, 2023 110 Views No Comment

Calls for prayer day on February 19

Dimapur, February 16 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has called for a day of prayer for the upcoming assembly election in Nagaland and for the persecuted Christians in India. The prayer day, scheduled for February 19, aims to encourage voters to elect leaders who will honourably lead the state for the next five years, and to remind Christians to stand firm in their faith.

The NBCC, in a press release by its General Secretary, Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho, urged voters to cast their votes wisely, fearfully, and boldly as Christians during the elections scheduled on February 27.

The church also reminded voters to discern the truth from lies and to vote for leaders who fear God and will honourably lead the state. It also emphasised the need for clean and fair elections, with no proxy voting and no buying and selling of votes. The NBCC urged voters not to be deceived by election promises but to be guided by their faith and to do the right thing.

“Clean Election is possible and it is just one resolute decision away,” it further stated.

Among others, the NBCC encouraged local churches to organise prayer walks in their neighbourhoods and strategic locations from 6:00 am to 7:00 am to pray, and to incorporate other creative prayer activities throughout the day, including worship services.
“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 honour God,” it stated.

According to the release, the prayer day also aims to bring attention to the plight of persecuted Christians in India. The NBCC highlighted India’s ranking as the 10th most dangerous country to live in for Christians and called for equal protection and freedom for all religious groups. It expressed concern over the increasing communal forces in India, which it said, are becoming forceful and sowing seeds of hatred against minority religious groups.

It called on the believers to pray for justice for the communal forces working against Christians in India, for believers to stand firm in their faith, and for pastors facing pressure due to their ministry work. The church also called on people in authority to rule the country justly and to deal sternly with those who sow the seed of hatred.

The NBCC called on all believers to pray in a repenting spirit, that God will heal the land and that His purpose would be established. With the upcoming election and the plight of persecuted Christians in India, the NBCC urged believers to stand up for what is right, guided by their faith and with the fear of God.