By: Ginaba Lino
The Government of the Republic of South Sudan has launched a new national initiative anchored in faith, reconciliation, and unity, with President Salva Kiir Mayardit officially declaring December 20 as the country’s National Prayer Breakfast Day.
The declaration was made on Saturday during South Sudan’s first-ever National Prayer Breakfast, held at the Office of the President in Juba. The event marked a significant moment in the government’s efforts to promote peace by recognizing faith particularly the teachings of Jesus Christ as a pillar for national reconciliation and moral leadership.
Held under the theme “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance,” the prayer breakfast brought together state governors, members of the national parliament, diplomats from various embassies, religious leaders, and other senior government officials.
In his keynote address, President Kiir underscored the importance of unity, forgiveness, and prayer in healing the nation’s wounds and strengthening social cohesion.
He called on South Sudanese from all walks of life to embrace faith as the foundation for lasting peace, stability, and national development.
Following the President’s remarks, the Senior Presidential Envoy, Hon. Adut Salva Kirr, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to institutionalizing the National Prayer Breakfast as an annual event hosted at the Presidential Palace.
She emphasized that the initiative is intended to provide a platform for spiritual reflection, moral guidance, and collective responsibility among the country’s leadership.
Hon. Adut highlighted the role of faith-based engagement in fostering reconciliation, encouraging leaders to lead with humility, integrity, and a renewed sense of service to the people of South Sudan.
The National Prayer Breakfast is expected to become a yearly gathering aimed at strengthening cooperation between political leaders, religious institutions, and communities, while reinforcing shared values of peace, unity, and hope for the nation’s future.