National Day of Prayers in Zambia

A national holiday with a 2015 origin

The observance began in 2015, when President Edgar Lungu proclaimed 18 October a day of national prayer and fasting for reconciliation and forgiveness. A statutory notice made 18 October an annual public holiday for national prayer, fasting, repentance and reconciliation; a ministerial statement to Parliament said the public-holiday status commenced in 2016.[2][3]

The Public Holidays Act allows the Minister to declare additional public holidays by statutory notice and provides that a day declared this way is observed throughout Zambia. The National Day of Prayer is therefore a nationwide observance, rather than a holiday belonging to one province or town.[1][2]

Purpose and observance

The full name describes the day’s stated purpose: prayer, fasting, repentance and reconciliation. In a 2020 statement to Parliament, the Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs said the day was set aside to give thanks, reflect, repent and reconcile, with continued peace, prosperity and unity as its aims.[4]

Official preparations have been described as involving national, provincial and district levels, with some chiefdoms also preparing gatherings. In 2017, the national prayer event was planned for Kitwe, while observances were also planned across the provinces and districts. This shows that a national gathering can accompany local observances in different parts of Zambia.[3][4]

The records consulted describe prayer and fasting, official prayer gatherings and themes of unity and reconciliation. These are the stated features of the observance.[3][4]

Public-holiday arrangements

The holiday is a nationwide public holiday. Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go. Shops, banks and transport services should be checked directly for their holiday hours.[1][2]

The Public Holidays Act contains a rule for the Monday after a Sunday holiday among the days listed in its schedule. The National Day of Prayer was added separately by statutory notice, so the Act’s schedule rule alone does not establish how this holiday’s Sunday arrangement is handled. Check the official calendar for the applicable observed date.[1][2]