It was an event of praise, prayer and preaching, as the Anguilla Evangelical Association, in conjunction with the Anguilla Christian Council, met at the Scouts and Guides gazebo in The Valley on the afternoon of Sunday, January 2nd, for a national thanksgiving rally.
An appreciative number of persons turned out to be part of the rally, many of whom savoured the service from the comfort of their cars which filled the spacious parking lot.
Under the theme, “All the Earth Shall Sing Your Praises”, the rally featured several teams singing praises of joyous jubilation and thanksgiving to God for His goodness over the past year. Quite noticeably, Jenn Johnson’s song, “The Goodness of God”, was sung out of much zest and with a resounding, grateful spirit.
Various pastors offered prayers of thanksgiving for the opening of a new year, as well as prayers of thanks for God’s direction, protection and provision over the past year, even though it was marred by certain misfortunes/calamities.
Rev. Wilmoth Hodge, of the Methodist Church, prayed for individuals who had been troubled by the Covid pandemic, and for all who had suffered various ills as a result of social misfortunes: ‘“God is our refuge and strength; our very present help in time of trouble,”’ he quoted. “We come this evening with thanksgiving in our hearts and praise on our lips, to you, Lord.
“You have brought us through another year — one of great uncertainties. We thank you because you have taken us through a year of Covid pandemic. At the same time, Lord, we pray for those who have been affected by the pandemic. We pray for those who face financial struggles as a result of the pandemic, and for those who mourn the loss of loved ones who have died from the corona virus. We also pray for the loved ones of those who died from other sicknesses and diseases.
“Lord, we pray as well for those who have lost loved ones through various sorts of tragedies and violence. We lift them up before you, and we remember them this afternoon. Give these loved ones and families peace, I pray. And give them hope to carry on…”
The rally also had preachers exclaiming the urgency of a need for a stronger bond of unity and for the eradication of the spirit of complacency within the Christian faith. Though the event was designated to be a gathering of thanksgiving, petitions were also made for the mercy of God to be evident among the people of the land.
In particular, Pastor Rodwell Grant, like the weeping prophet, Jeremiah, uttered a passionate, prayer for mercy — on behalf of people: “Lord, show us a sign that these people would know that you are God. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, because our hearts are not in the right place…We cannot deny that the blood of the innocent is crying out from the ground of the earth. I confess the sins of this nation, and I pray that you would have mercy upon us.
“Lord, as a nation we have sinned, and as a church we have lost our way. This afternoon, I cry unto you and ask that you would have mercy on your people. Indeed, some of us have become selfish, unloving and unforgiving, full of hatred and full of wrath. But God, you said that if we leave our gifts at the altar, and go and make it right with our brother, you will have mercy on us. So help us to make it right, and have mercy on us, O Lord.”
The moderator of the rally was well-known Christian personality, Ms. Avenella Griffith. Commenting on such a significant event, she told The Anguillian newspaper: “The rally had a two-fold purpose. Firstly, to thank God for who He is and His goodness towards us and secondly, to pray for the people and nation of Anguilla.”
“The presence of God was richly felt,” she continued, “as prayers were made for repentance, mercy and comfort. The fellowship of Christians from across the island was sweet – and so were the praises that filled the air and ascended to the throne of God. The people of Anguilla are called to look to Jesus and obey His Word because it’s only His grace and mercy that has kept us, and which will keep us – nothing else.”
