By Kondanani Chilimunthaka

On Wednesday, 5th July, 2023, President Lazarus Chakwera led Malawians in conducting prayers under various denominations to mark the eve of Malawi’ 59th birthday commemoration since becoming a self rule nation.

Speaking at Bingu International Convention Center in the capital Lilongwe where the prayers were conducted, President Chakwera who during the prayers read scriptures from the book of Nehemiah chapter 3 from verse 1-5 told the nation that it was right for Malawians to begin the 59th celebrations in the presence of God in recognition of the fact that everything that the country has worthy celebrating is a gift from God.

“For this reason, when we consider the theme of this year’s Independence activities which is ‘Celebrating Renewed Unity and Patriotism’, the first place we must experience that renewal is before God.

Would it not for the power of God, this nation would not have come into existence for the scriptures are clear that it is God who has made all the nations of the world from one man. Were it not for the mercy of God, the nation would have perished in any number of natural and man-made disasters, for the scriptures are clear that it is by the mercies of God renewed to us every morning that we are not consumed”. Said President Chakwera.

He further told the nation that time has come for Malawi to celebrate the God’s goodness and wisdom that has seen the country being saved from the failure and crookedness.

Additionally, Malawi leader said; “The best source of our Unity is God Himself. To treat other Malawians as though this is not their country and sow seeds of division and discord among Malawians is to defy the choice of God to have them live on earth as Malawian Citizens”.

Saying the source of patriotism is God Himself, President Chakwera urged Malawians to take time praying for Malawi which he described as a great, united, and a promising country which deserves prayers for generations coming to find it even greater than today.

This year the celebrations are being conducted under the theme “Celebrating Renewed Unity and Patriotism”, Kukondwerera Umodzi, Kudzipereka ndi Kukonda Dziko Lathu in vernacular.

The prayers were attended by several dignitaries including President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania who is on a three-day State Visit to Malawi.