Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 14
Nagaland Prayer Festival, the first festival of its kind in the State, is scheduled to commence from February 24 and would continue till the 26th at Chekiye Village New, 5th Mile, Dimapur. Renowned evangelists Dr DGS Dhinakaran, Dr Paul Dhinakaran and Dr Stella Dhinakaran, all from the Jesus Calls Ministry would be the main speakers at the prayer festival, organized by a conglomerate of several churches and organizations.
The reason behind holding a prayer congress is to create a whole-round healing process, one so needed of, encompassing political, social and economic considerations in the Naga society today, according to Dr Kheshito Zhimo, Chairman of the Nagaland Prayer Festival Planning Board. “The vision of the prayer festival is to bring blessing upon the people of Nagaland. The people want to live in a peaceful society. So irrespective of their political ideologies, church or denominations and social belonging, it is the vision of the prayer festival that they be healed physically, economically, politically or otherwise” Dr Kheshito Zhimo said.
Giving the rationale behind the theme of the prayer festival ‘Be Healed’ Dr Zhimo said that unless Jesus Christ takes the place of priority in one’s heart, no matter how good a person is or born a Christian there can never be complete transformation and healing. “There will be economic healing, physical healing and above all spiritual healing if one knows God. When we examine ourselves we are found spiritually weak. We are not only in need of physical healing but our spiritual life tells us that we should repent. Repent because sin lives in us all” Dr Kheshito said adding that people can expect healing in all spheres of existence.
Hughato Naga, one of the Board members too opined that it was time to transform the inner self to be blessed and healed. “Not every Christian fears God. Unless we are healed there can be no transformation” Naga said adding that in the context of the State today there was too much fear, fear of speaking the truth and standing for what is right.
On the query what they hope to achieve through the prayer festival, both the board members acquiesced that aside from physical and spiritual healing, the seeds of peace and unity be sown amongst the various Naga tribes. “Our focus is not on a particular church or tribe. Our vision is to bring together all the tribes as can be seen that the invitation to the people crosses all barriers, church denomination etc” Hughato Naga affirmed.
It was also informed that apart from other churches and organizations, the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) was also offering logistics on the festival. More than thousands have already registered for attendance, from Assam, Manipur Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram as well even from mainland Indian states.
“We are expecting about 1 Lakh people at the festival. The sick are being bought from across the NE States” said the board members. Dr DGS Dhinakaran, Dr Paul Dhinakaran and Dr Stella Dhinakaran, are expected to arrive at Dimapur February 22. Meanwhile the Planning Board appealed to people desirous of rendering assistance to make available accommodation to attendees on account of shortage of accommodation and lodging in Dimapur.
