By Matters India Reporter
Namsai, September 23, 2026: Eighty‑five Christian leaders representing churches across East Arunachal Pradesh gathered at St. Mary’s School, Namsai, for a day‑long prayer meeting aimed at fostering unity and encouraging believers to pray for the nation, its leaders and society.
The gathering brought together pastors, evangelists, women leaders, catechists and youth leaders from eight districts of East Arunachal Pradesh. Welcoming representatives of different denominations, Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao said the event was a fulfilment of Christ’s prayer for unity.
“Today, we are not Baptist, Revival, Pentecostal or Catholic, but we are Christians,” the Salesian bishop said.
Referring to Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21, he stressed the responsibility of Christians to pray for one another and for their neighbors. “Praying is our duty, as Jesus has asked us to pray for one another and for our neighbors. And in doing so, we come as one family that belongs to Christ,” he said.
Prabhin Baraik of United Christian Prayers for India (UCPI), who animated the participants on the importance of intercessory prayer, said praying for others is not merely a Christian duty but a biblical mandate.
Leading the participants in prayer, he reflected on 1 Timothy 2:1‑2, which calls Christians to pray for kings, those in authority, leaders of society and all people.
Church leaders welcomed the initiative as an important step toward greater fellowship and collaboration.
Speaking on behalf of the Heva Baptist Association, Rabi Angu thanked Bishop Pallipparambil and UCPI for organizing the first such prayer gathering. “Such initiatives are the need of the hour and this would bring us closer to each other as one family,” he said.
Ralte, who uses one name, of the Church of the Living God described the gathering as “the Lord’s doing,” while Gamjum Haging, a woman leader from the Revival Church, said the meeting strengthened her resolve to pray for others. “This gathering is a source of strength to continue to pray for one another, leaders, neighbors and for everyone,” she said.
Noromso Chai, president of the Lohit Anjaw Christian Forum, thanked UCPI for encouraging Christians to pray intentionally.
“This prayer event has given us a new orientation to our manner of praying. We shall not make obscure prayers but we will make focused and person‑oriented prayers as we go forward,” he said.
Father Daniel, who uses one name, coordinator of the program, expressed gratitude for the strong participation. “God has opened a wonderful way to bring people together to pray, fulfilling His desire,” he said.
The gathering concluded with a resolution to prepare and distribute a common prayer card containing a short prayer and space for participants to write the names of 20 people for whom they would commit themselves to pray.
Organizers said the initiative was intended not only as a one‑day event but also as encouragement for Christians across East Arunachal Pradesh to continue praying regularly for one another, their communities and the nation.