The National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage is a public holiday in Zambia, first observed in 2026.
It effectively replaces the National Day of Prayer which was observed as a public holiday between 2015 and 2025.
The creation of the National Day of Prayer and Christian Heritage formalises President Hakainde Hichilema’s announcement in December 2025 during the 34th anniversary of Zambia’s declaration as a Christian Nation by late President Frederick Chiluba in 1991. President Hichilema had declared that December 29th would become a permanent public holiday starting in 2026 to reinforce Zambia’s Christian identity.
Church Mother Bodies, in a joint statement on Thursday, said the consolidation will help strengthen the observance, placing it strategically between Christmas and New Year to allow wider participation.
October 18th was first declared as the National Day of Prayer by former President Edgar Lungu in 2015 following a call for national prayers to address economic challenges. It has been observed annually with inter-denominational prayers at Showgrounds in Lusaka and across the country.
With this amendment, Zambians will still pray for the nation on October 18th through regular church services, but it will be a normal working day, while December 29 will be the official public holiday.
