Christians from different denominations gathered in the Indian capital on October 2 for “Pray for India 2026, Bless India,” an ecumenical program that focused on peace, reconciliation, national unity, religious harmony and the needs of vulnerable communities.
The gathering was organized by the Delhi Christian Pastors’ Fellowship at the Diocesan Community Centre Hall in Gole Dak Khana, an area of central New Delhi near several major Christian institutions, including the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
The program brought together Christians from churches, organizations and institutions for prayer, worship, reflection and fellowship.
Archbishop Anil J. T. Couto of Delhi, who delivered the inaugural address, called Christians to become credible witnesses of the Gospel through their lives.
Reflecting on Mahatma Gandhi’s observation about the transformative power of someone who genuinely lives the Gospel, Archbishop Couto challenged participants to examine themselves and ask: “What divides us? What needs to change? What needs to be transformed?”
He urged Christians to undergo a deeper conversion, follow the path of the Gospel and become a “new creation” whose lives demonstrate their faith through love, unity, service and action.
Drawing on the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the “Little Flower,” the archbishop also spoke about childlike trust in God. He said her trust was not childish but reflected a deep and simple confidence in Christ.
The gathering placed strong emphasis on peace and reconciliation. Participants prayed for healing among communities, churches and families and for the removal of barriers created by differences in wealth, culture and other circumstances.
Prayers were also offered for countries affected by war and conflict, asking world leaders to work for peace and justice and for reconciliation to replace violence.
The participants prayed for India’s future, including national unity, religious harmony, good governance and justice. They also prayed for women and girls affected by violence, poverty and abandonment, as well as for children, families, the poor and marginalized, victims of violence and the education sector.
The ecumenical gathering included Bible reading, worship, choirs, prayer dances, instrumental music, skits and cultural presentations. Christian communities from different traditions participated, reflecting the diversity of the Church in the Delhi-National Capital Region.
The program concluded with prayers for the renewal of the Church and Benediction, followed by a vote of thanks and the national anthem.
The gathering emphasized that Christian unity does not require uniformity. Participants from different churches and traditions came together around a shared commitment to prayer, service and the welfare of India.
For the participants, “Pray for India 2026” was both a call to pray for the country and an invitation to examine how Christians themselves can contribute to peace, reconciliation and social harmony through their witness.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
