Call for prayer and fasting on Gandhi anniversary

Church groups have teamed up for a day of prayer and fasting on Tuesday, the day marking the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birth on October 2, 1869.

Besides Christians, the campaign calls on the entire nation to "seek the favour of God" amid the shocking scams, slowing economic growth and moral issues that have plagued the nation.

"Hearkening back to the Mahatma's call for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting, we honour this call by instituting this National Day of Prayer and Fasting on October 2nd – the day of his birth, also fondly known as Gandhi Jayanti," the organisers said.

"It lays hold of the precept of the Mahatma's relentless prayer and fasting endeavours to unite the nation to non-violence and oneness even until his death. This has been further enshrined by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence."

The prayer campaign is an initiative of the CBCI, NCCI, EFI, NPCTI and the National Prayer Network.

"There is power when a nation grabs the idea of prayer, and unites to beseech God for favour. It changes our soul as a nation when we bring prayer back on the national agenda," a note from the organisers stated.

Thousands of members from states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Bhutan, Nepal and Arunachal Pradesh have committed to join in the day of prayer and fasting.

"About 375 gatherings and 450 leaders have been individually informed all across the Himalayan belt. In the state of J&K itself we have shared this initiative among 85 different gatherings. We have targeted the whole of the Himalayan belt with this prayer movement," said the coordinator, Andrew.

"We just praise God for the wonderful initiative that has begun. We believe that the Lord is going to do wondrous works through this prayer movement," he expressed.

On the website, the organisers have enumerated eight specific points to pray for. They include: "Truth and Integrity in Society, Ethical and Honest Governance, Impartial and Efficient Judiciary, Regard for the Law and Authority, Respect for Women and Their Rights, Empowerment and Uplift of the Poor, Economic Growth and Equal Prosperity and Communal and Caste Reconciliation towards a United India".

October 2 is globally observed as the International Day of Non-Violence. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on June 15, 2007 to mark Oct. 2 as Non-Violence Day to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

The day is aimed to spread the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness, around the world.