By Allen Brooks
Guwahati: The Churches in northeastern India will set apart a day every month to pray for peace and harmony in the country.
This was decided at July general body meeting of the Assam Christian Forum held at Guwahati, Assam. The forum comprises all Churches in the region.
The Church leaders resolved to set apart the first day of every month, starting from August this year, to pray for peace and harmony. They appealed every Church, congregation and group to conduct the prayer individually or collectively.
The Church leaders requested retired Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil to prepare a common prayer for all Churches in northeastern India to recite on the monthly day of prayer.
The Salesian prelate obliged them writing this prayer: “God of mercy and compassion, we thank you for the cultural heritage of our great Nation. We thank you for the communal harmony that has prevailed among us for centuries, despite our many differences. We pray that this great tradition may not weaken; but rather, that it may grow stronger day by day among our communities and peace may reign in our society, today, and at all times.”
The meet expressed deep concern over happenings that seriously affect India and its northeastern region. They also noted efforts by certain groups to undermine the Churches’ unity by promoting factionalism through fringe groups and parallel outfits.
The Church leaders decided to address the immediate concerns in a prayerful yet watchful manner. They also resolved to study the situation further and to meet at a later date to chalk out a collective plan of action.
The participants represented the Catholic Church, Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India, Church of North India, Lutheran Church, North Bank Baptist Christian Association, Evangelical Fellowship of India and Pentecostal Churches in India.
The meet also reviewed the flood situation in Assam and expressed pain and concern at the loss of human lives and displacement of large sections of people.
The meet also elected new office bearers of the forum.