The Sudan Council of Churches, through its Higher Committee for Prayer for Sudan, is organising a public prayer gathering for peace and security in Sudan on Saturday, amid disagreement among some church leaders over the event.
The gathering is scheduled for 2pm at the Khartoum International Fairgrounds and is expected to bring together Christians from different churches and communities.
The event comes after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) regained control of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), following months of fighting in the capital.
Sudan’s war, which began in April 2023, has caused widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance.
The organisers say the gathering is intended to bring Sudanese together in prayer for an end to the violence, the restoration of peace and security, and the healing of divisions caused by the war.
They are also calling for prayers for Sudan’s leaders and government officials, asking God to give them wisdom, strength, patience and determination to guide the country towards peace, stability and national unity.
The event is being promoted under the slogan: “Come with one heart… together we pray for Sudan.”
The invitation also quotes Psalm 68:31 from the Bible: “Cush will quickly stretch out her hands to God.”
The organising committee has urged participants to pray for Sudan and its people, asking for mercy, protection, healing and hope. The organisers have presented Saturday’s gathering as a spiritual and national call for peace.
Concerns over planned prayers
Some pastors and church leaders, however, have raised concerns about the event, saying government involvement could undermine the independence and neutrality of the Sudan Council of Churches.
One senior pastor, who asked not to be named, told Radio Tamazuj that the army-aligned government is financing the event and has been involved in arrangements for the venue and timing.
“The government is paying for the prayer programme and gave the church a venue for the prayers and set the time for the prayers, and this will affect the independence of the church,” the pastor said.
Another church leader said many pastors and churches are not supporting the planned gathering because of what they described as government involvement in its organisation.
The church leader said government funds are being used to arrange buses and other means of transport for participants, as well as provide incentives.
The claims about government funding and logistical support could not be independently verified.
The disagreement comes as religious and civil society groups face the challenge of promoting peace and reconciliation while maintaining their independence and avoiding perceptions of alignment with either side of Sudan’s conflict.
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