Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Committee, Pastor Philip Gumbs, of the Church of God (Holiness), is pleased with the event held at various places in Anguilla on Thursday, May 7. He said that with the participation of a number of church leaders and followers, the National Day of Prayer was a successful undertaking.
Speaking to The Anguillian, Pastor Philip expressed gratitude to Methodist Supernumerary Minister, Reverend Cecil Weekes, who was a leading organiser of the National Day of Prayer activities in the past. Rev. Weekes is now ailing at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and is the recipient of every good wish from all.
The participants in the National Day of Prayer included Ministers from the Anglican, Methodist and Roman Catholic Churches of the Anguilla Christian Council; and Pastors from the Anguilla Evangelical Association. Prayers were said in the Executive Council Chambers, the Atlin Harrigan Parliamentary Building; and at a number of radio stations.
The most impressive part of the event was a truck-led procession in the late afternoon from Megga Savers supermarket in The Farrington, with stops at the nearby Saint James School of Medicine; the Chinese Restaurant in The Quarter and outside the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. The hymn-singing and musical procession terminated in the joint courtyard of the Anguilla House of Assembly, the Magistrate’s Court and the Anguilla High Court where a prayer service was also held.
The event was hailed by newly-appointed Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks. “This is the fourteenth year that we have been observing the National Day of Prayer here in Anguilla,” he stated in a radio broadcast. “I am pleased to undertake my responsibilities as Chief Minister to say a few words to herald this commendable tradition. This observance highlights the fact that we, as a God-fearing people, recognise that we cannot achieve anything but for the grace of God.”
The Chief Minister, a Methodist, continued: “Our willingness to make this event a permanent part of the calendar of national celebrations is an indication that, as a people, we continue to hold fast to those traditions that have served us well as a people, over many decades – even centuries.
“In these challenging times it is extremely important that we continue to seek God’s guidance and support in all our undertakings. And there is no better way to do so than in corporate prayer for our country and people.
“Indeed, this is a time to band ourselves together so that through the simple act of praying together we can be united in the pursuit of our common goals and aspirations. To put it another way – asking God for wisdom and understanding to guide our paths towards the realisation of the Anguilla Dream.”
Chief Minister Banks added: “The celebrations being held this month to mark the forty-eighth Anniversary of Anguilla Day could not be complete without providing an opportunity to lift up our young people. This will help them to develop the ability to settle their conflict in a civil manner rather than turning to violence as a means of solving their differences.
“Too many young lives have been snatched away from us for no good reasons. And the vicious cycle will continue unchecked if we do not ask God to soften the hearts of our young people – so that they may put aside the bitterness and hate which seem to consume their thoughts and actions. In less than one month two mothers are mourning the untimely death of their son. This is indeed a good time – the right way to pray for our island nation….Prayer must be an important part of nation-building because, as the Good Book tells us, without His help we, as builders, would be labouring in vain.”
