A timely prayer for national healing
THE memorial service hosted by Praise Christian Centre (PCC) founder Bishop Edgar Ng’ambi in honour of former President Edgar Lungu comes at a most critical and necessary moment for Zambia.
At a time when the nation is still trying to come to terms with the painful and emotional controversies surrounding the removal of former president Lungu’s body from a South African mortuary and the subsequent postmortem conducted without the consent and presence of his family, Bishop Ng’ambi’s initiative is not only timely but also statesmanlike and spiritually necessary.
Death, especially of a former head of state should unite a nation in mourning, reflection and dignity. Instead, recent developments have unfortunately generated tension, suspicion and emotional distress among family members, political players and ordinary citizens alike. The debate over how the remains of the late former president were handled has left many Zambians disturbed and searching for closure.
It is against this background that Bishop Ng’ambi deserves commendation for choosing the path of prayer, peace and national remembrance.
His memorial service did not merely seek to honour the life of former president Lungu; it also served as an important national moment of reflection. By bringing together political leaders from across the divide, church leaders, former ministers, members of Parliament and ordinary citizens, he created a rare platform for unity in a season of division.
His message was simple but powerful, Zambia needs healing.
Indeed, Bishop Ng’ambi was right when he described Mr Lungu as a man of peace and a leader who worked towards uniting the country. Regardless of political affiliation, there is no denying that the late former president played a significant role in Zambia’s democratic journey and governance. His contribution to national peace, unity and stability deserves respect and dignified remembrance.
Bishop Ng’ambi’s assurance to the bereaved family that the nation stands with them was equally important. In moments of grief, families need comfort, not conflict. They need reassurance that the country appreciates the sacrifice and service of their loved one. Through prayer and public remembrance, Bishop Ng’ambi helped restore that assurance not only to the Lungu family, but also to many Zambians who feel emotionally connected to the late former president.
Zambia is constitutionally and spiritually a Christian nation. This declaration is not merely ceremonial, it reflects the moral and spiritual foundation upon which many citizens draw strength, especially in moments of national uncertainty.
It is for this reason that such initiatives by church leaders must be encouraged.
When politics becomes heated, when institutions are questioned and when emotions run high, the Church must remain the moral voice that calls for calm, peace and reconciliation. Bishop Ng’ambi stepped into that role with courage and clarity.
As the country moves closer to the crucial general election scheduled for August 13, the need for de-escalation cannot be overstated. Political temperatures are already rising. The memory of a former president should never become a source of national division or political exploitation.
Instead, it should serve as a reminder of the responsibility leaders carry and the importance of protecting national unity above partisan interests.
Prayer alone may not solve every political dispute, but it creates space for humility, reflection and wisdom. It reminds leaders and citizens alike that power is temporary, but legacy is permanent.
Bishop Ng’ambi’s memorial service was therefore more than a church gathering, it was a national intervention.
His call for harmony between government and the Lungu family must be taken seriously. His appeal for peace must be heard. His insistence that Zambia belongs to God must resonate beyond the pulpit and into the decisions made by those in authority.
At a time when the nation is bleeding, as he rightly put it, Zambia needs healing more than hostility.
For that reason, Bishop Edgar Ng’ambi must be commended.
He reminded the country that beyond politics, beyond controversy and beyond grief, Zambia must remain one nation under God.
