Rev. Dr. Given Katuta Mwelwa Insists October 18 Prayer Day Will Go Ahead

Rev. Dr. Given Katuta Mwelwa says Christians will continue to observe October 18 as a day of prayer, fasting and reconciliation, despite the government’s decision to merge the occasion with Zambia’s Christian heritage commemoration on December 29.

In a statement addressed to Zambians and Christians, Mwelwa argued that October 18 was established as a national day of prayer, not a day belonging to any political party, and urged believers to gather in churches, homes and night vigils to pray for the country.

“The government can keep the stadiums. They can keep Heroes Stadium and all public places where we used to gather. But they cannot stop us Christians from being the Christians who have believed that there is a time of coming together as nation to petition God with prayer, fasting and reconciling with one another,” he said.

Mwelwa, an independent presidential candidate for the 2026 elections and former Chienge MP, said Zambia needed healing and genuine reconciliation. He invoked the legacy of former President Edgar Lungu, whom he credited with declaring October 18 as a day for national prayer.

Her statement comes against the backdrop of a government decision to consolidate the two national observances. While Mwelwa says Christians will continue praying on October 18, the government has designated December 29 as the date for the unified National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage.

Mwelwa also referred to December 29 as a day for Christians to celebrate Zambia’s identity as a Christian nation, but maintained that believers could still use October 18 to seek God’s intervention for the country.

The government has not, in the supplied statement, said that Christians are prohibited from praying or gathering on October 18. The change concerns the official national observance and public-holiday status.

In a press statement signed by Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick K. Kangwa, Government announced that, following consultations with Church Mother Bodies, the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation of October 18 had been merged with the commemoration of Zambia’s declaration as a Christian nation on December 29.

The combined event will be known as the National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage, with its first consolidated commemoration scheduled for December 29, 2026.

Government said it had revoked Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2015, which declared October 18 a public holiday, and issued Statutory Instrument No. 73 of 2026 declaring December 29 a public holiday for the new observance.

As a result, October 18, 2026, will no longer be observed as a public holiday.