ECL Pledges to Complete Zambia’s National House of Prayer Project, Emphasizes Return to Faith in Governance
Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has vowed to resume and complete the National House of Prayer project, a significant undertaking aimed at reinforcing Zambia’s Christian identity. Addressing a congregation at the Resurrection Congregation of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in Kafue during the commissioning of Deaconess Phaides Mukasa, Lungu expressed deep dissatisfaction with the lack of progress under President Hakainde Hichilema’s government. For Lungu, the House of Prayer is not just a structure, but a vital symbol of unity and faith that Zambia must reclaim to navigate its complex socio-economic challenges.
Lungu underscored that completing the National House of Prayer would be a crucial step in fostering national unity, a cornerstone of Zambia’s Christian values. He expressed a strong commitment to revive the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, a brainchild of his own presidency, aimed at ensuring Christian principles guide national governance. Through this initiative, Lungu envisions a Zambia where leadership is deeply rooted in ethical and moral values.
“The situation we face today is not just political; it is deeply spiritual. We need to reaffirm our Christian principles as the foundation for addressing poverty, corruption, and mismanagement,” Lungu told the gathered faithful. “Zambia needs a return to leadership grounded in faith and integrity.”
The former president also extended a call for unity across political factions, particularly among opposition parties. Lungu stressed the importance of collective action, asserting that it is only through solidarity that Zambia can confront its challenges and restore hope. “This is not about individual ambition, it’s about putting Zambia first,” he said, urging all political leaders to set aside personal interests for the greater good of the nation. His call found a receptive audience within the Patriotic Front (PF) and opposition figures, including TONSE Alliance spokesperson Sean Tembo, PF Vice President Given Lubinda, and acting deputy Raphael Nakacinda.
In his appeal for opposition unity, Lungu emphasized that a morally cohesive alternative to the current government could offer the country a viable path forward. He also reiterated that the proposed Ministry of National Guidance would play a pivotal role in reinforcing Christian values within Zambia’s policies and decision-making processes.
Lungu’s focus on faith-driven governance has sparked debate about the appropriate role of religion in politics. For him, returning to Christian principles is not merely symbolic but an essential framework for tackling Zambia’s systemic issues. He believes that by championing virtues such as honesty, compassion, and integrity, the country can break free from the vices that hinder its growth.
The sentiments were echoed by Bishop Rev. Dr. Lordwell Siame of UCZ, who praised Lungu’s vision for moral leadership, calling on the church to meet both spiritual and social needs. Siame also encouraged Deaconess Mukasa to focus on uplifting the community, particularly the vulnerable, in her new role.
Later, outside the church service, Lungu briefly commented on the recent re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump. Lungu congratulated the American electorate for choosing a leader he believes upholds faith-based principles. Drawing a parallel to Zambia, Lungu suggested that Zambians, too, might look for leadership that reflects Christian values, particularly as they grow disillusioned with the current administration.
“America’s choice shows that people will always opt for a leader who stands for integrity and moral values,” Lungu remarked, hinting that Zambia may see a similar shift in political sentiment ahead of the next election.
Lungu’s pledge to complete the National House of Prayer and re-establish the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs underscores his vision for a faith-centered administration. As Zambia faces both internal challenges and global shifts in leadership, Lungu’s message of unity, integrity, and faith-driven governance may resonate with citizens seeking a return to familiar, values-based leadership. His appeal for a morally guided Zambia positions him as a potential alternative for voters disillusioned with the current political landscape.
Emmanuel Mwamba.
Why politics in pulpit ????
National House prayers,
Why bring it up when you know the money was stolen? Do you want those pastors jailed ?
Counting chicks before they are hatched.
No! Counting Trump’s chicks and making them his Kikikikiki! He is doing a good job of imitating Donald
……..Integrity and moral values in Donald Trump as ECL is, is a joke of the world.
Its an insult and vilification of criminality. Wonder how someone who kills, steals, lies only to use the word of God as a cover for these sinful acts can say he represents the “will of God’…its a mockery and insult to God.
.__.and you think the present Zambian president has that integrity you claim for? Some virtues we ask for but fail to possess ourselves. Suddenly, Don-old has become a standard datum line? Tell me why was he not jailed if he is as bad as you claim?
UCZ naimwe, are you a branch of Christains for Lungu. Is this is our christain standard
Disgusting how ECL is now a saint with lots of knowledge ,integrity and vision.Mscheeeww , a hyena never changes its blood thirsty instincts .
Saint Chagwa! Viva St Chagwaaaaa!
Unfortunately Christianity as a national philosophy has lamentably failed to inspire, Humanism did better. The proclamation of Zambia as a Christian nation was made by a known philanderer. They have ceaselessly continued the wholesale plunder of national resources thereby condemning the poor to destitution with bibles in their hands. It’s unthinkable that yesterday’s villain that presided over so many shoddy deals would today be a hero in some people’s minds! What didn’t they steal? Jesus wept
Great thinking there, Ayatollah.
I commend you for this analysis and thought.
Even if Lungu fails to make it someone has to build this House.
Most memorials and government programmes would have a specific venue instead of using either the Child Jesus Cathedral, CATHOLIC, or the Cathedral of The Holy Cross, ANGLICAN, premises. Do you recall we had challenges choosing the 10th anniversary of Sata’s passing?
My submission.
Praying for the nation. How good it would be to see ECL and HH having a meal together, obviously perhaps each one coming with his own food. The two are not doing enough to bring the political temperature in the country down, infact both seem to be fuelling it. Very unstatesman ship from both
Both ECL and HH have a duty to lower the political temperature in this country. They are both not doing that.
SAY WHAT YOU WANT
The fact is this chap ECL is causing a stir and is unsettling UPND to some extent
Is there any harm in this ??
Some are fearing his come back IT’S not going to Happen Despite what the Prophet SS
says
He doesnt have the funds to drop the Fuel Price, Cheap Mealie Meal , $$ 14 to ZMW ETC
UPND will do this next year as we draw near to elections
Let me remind the internet audience here that the Sausage in Ndola was voted in the Southern African region as the Best International Airport. While Akainde derogates it, those who appreciate beauty and cool architecture value it most. Our president is chocking with sheer envy because be basically has nothing to point to as one of his successes in his presidency apart from killing PF.
Ba Lungu is trying by all means to come back to power so that he saves his family from losing the wealth they stole from us tax paying Zambians.Ba UCZ how much did he give you?
Watch out HH! He will do a Trump. He will fix the elections
When you institute religion as a national philosophy, that becomes a vehicle of control and that is a red flag for a dictatorship. Anywhere, where it has been institutionalised, it has turned out a dictatorship. IF you do not see through that, then you have not seen enough of that in your life.
What says the holy book about the theft and the lies?
The University of Zambia has a building that is equitably shared between the Catholics and non-Catholics (primarily mainline church such as the UCZ). That does make sense. Attempting to duplicate this at national level is sort of moronic because there is more license outside there with myriads of denominations clamoring for space. It is not a good project to campaign a return to power for.
Kalok I get the first part of your post and support it. Why dont the churches get together and pray in one building? Then the entire nation would take their example and UNITE!
@Mihova, you are right — however, the model at UNZA is the sharing of a building; they (Catholics and non-Catholics) do not pray together (unless things have changed). They share time slots for the same building. The ideal as you say is to allow everyone to pray in the same building … without any empirical evidence I do not see that happening. Someone said it includes all faiths and THAT is already a problem.
We’d be a much better Zambia if it were a national house of ethics,integrity and rule of law being built.And no no, i don’t like this “chicken house” project being championed by a Fox like Lungu.
The church itself has its own bloodied hands and complicities from the past.
Y’all know the old saying, “Impunda ico amafuta tayalekelepo”. Changwa thinks he lie his way back to the state house.