By Austin Kaluba –

‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’- 2 Chronicles 7:14
Today Zambians from all walks of life unite in prayer to the living Lord to intercede and fight the nation’s battles.
What started as a remote call by President Edgar Lungu when he declared October 18, as a day of Repentance, Prayer and Fasting in response to the economic crisis the country is facing, has come to pass.
David Livingstone who set foot in this region introducing the three Cs-Commerce, Civilisation and Christianity making Zambia a Christian nation is rejoicing in his grave at West Minister Abbey.
His coming to this part of the world was a blessing that was exhibited by his faithful attendants Chuma and Susi who buried his heart under a mupundu tree and carried his body together with his journal over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to the coast to Bagamoyo to be returned to Britain for burial.
The act changed the Victorian stereotypical view of Africans as savages with many Britons realising that they were just as human as any Caucasian.
It was Livingstone’s mission that opened Zambia to commerce, civilisation and ecclesiastical activities a few years to come.
By officially declaring Zambia a Christian nation, the second Republican President Frederick Chiluba was just endorsing the clerical crusade initiated by Livingstone.
In short, we are not Christians by accident but by some awesome divine intervention that has seen God’s Spirit guiding this country.
Despite some people trying to derail the event, the call for national prayers has received massive support from all Christians who are believers in the living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Zambians should bear in mind that though from a human perspective, the problems facing the country seem insurmountable, with God, they are easily solvable.
As stated above, the Spirit of God has for many years prevailed over this country as evidenced in the relative peace and stability the country has enjoyed since independence from Britain in 1964, when most of our neighbours were grappling with internal conflicts.
It is heartening to note that long before missionaries introduced Christianity to this part of the world, religion was part of us though we did not worship the real God.
Though marred by witchcraft and superstition, this is a legacy that is part of any black community home and abroad.
Scholars have noted this aspect and many have asserted that if you want to learn how to pray, go to Africa.
Whatever problems we are faced with prayer thrives in the midst of squalor, prisons, hospitals, in the orphanage filled with malaria-stricken infants, around gloomy disease-infested refugee camps-anywhere.
In most black societies prayer is essential to life as breath and water is to humanity.
Several studies and surveys reveal black Americans retain remarkably strong levels of religious beliefs and practices compared to other nationals in America.
It is this belief in a supernatural being that made President Edgar Lungu declare October 18, 2015, as the day for Repentance, Prayer and Fasting, throughout the country.
The declaration follows overwhelming requests that ordinary citizens and the clergy from all denominations made for this special day, to be set apart.
In his declaration, President Lungu has said the requests are justified, as the country’s founding fathers and mothers, found it fit to commit the nation’s destiny to God’s providence.
We would like the President to make this event an annual one for Zambia to live up to the Christian nation declaration.