National Intercessors Gathering Renews call to Prayer, Mission

MURINGOOR, September 23, 2026: Around 1,000 intercessors from across India gathered at the Divine Retreat Centre here from September 18 to 20 for PUSH-2026, a national gathering that renewed the call to prayer, intercession and missionary service.

Organised by CHARIS India–CNSC in collaboration with KCSC, the gathering was held under the theme “Pray Until Something Happens” and focused on spiritual formation, renewal and missionary commissioning.

The programme followed the progression “Intimacy → Intercession → Transformation → Mission,” encouraging participants to see intercession not merely as occasional prayer but as a disciplined Christian vocation rooted in a deeper relationship with God.

The gathering included Holy Eucharist, the Rosary, praise and worship, teaching sessions, testimonies, workshops, prophetic intercession, spiritual warfare and Eucharistic adoration. Participants were encouraged to rediscover the identity and responsibility of an intercessor and to pray for individuals, families, communities and the Church.

Bishop Alex Tharamangalam delivered the keynote address, stressing that effective intercession flows from a deep relationship with the Lord. Fr Johnson, KCSC coordinator, presided over one of the Eucharistic celebrations and reflected on the distinctive call of intercessors to stand before God in prayer.

Several sessions focused on the formation and challenges involved in intercessory ministry. Bro Sebastian addressed obstacles faced by those engaged in the ministry, while Sr Elsis Mathew spoke on the charisms of the Holy Spirit, with particular emphasis on the gift of prophecy, followed by a practical workshop.

Chevalier Cyril John led sessions on prophetic intercession, examining how prophetic sensitivity can deepen prayer and help people grow in their relationship with God. Other sessions dealt with suffering, misconceptions about intercession and the responsibilities associated with the ministry.

Bro Linus D’Costa, speaking on maturity in intercession, challenged participants to move beyond occasional prayer towards a disciplined and responsible life of intercession. Bro Shaji Scaria addressed the theme of redemptive suffering, while Victor Joans explored the spiritual dimension of intercession and the need to remain rooted in Christ while praying for others.

Eucharistic adoration formed an important part of the gathering. Fr Augustine Vallooran led an Infilling Adoration, while Fr Johnson conducted a special Intercessory Adoration for the nation. Prayers were also offered for prayer groups and service teams.

The gathering also linked intercession with evangelisation. Speaking on “Our Role as an Intercessor – Evangelisation via Intercession,” Joy Antony highlighted the connection between prayer and the Church’s missionary mission, noting that intercession supports those who proclaim the Gospel and prepares hearts to receive God’s grace.

Fr Thomas Tharayil, during another Eucharistic celebration, underlined the role and responsibility of intercessors in the life of the Church.

Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal presided over the concluding Eucharistic celebration, after which participants were sent back to their prayer groups, families, parishes and dioceses with a renewed commitment to prayer and mission.

PUSH-2026 thus sought to move participants from spiritual renewal to missionary action, encouraging them to “stand in the gap” through prayer and to become instruments of grace in the Church and society.

By Catholic Connect Reporter