INVOCATION,
Our Exalted Sovereign Lord and Triune God, all Honour, Glory, Dominion and Power be unto your matchless Name forever. Worthy are you of our praise and thanksgiving, which we give unto you on this 40th Anniversary of our Separation from the State of St. Christopher-Nevis.
Help us never to forget, Oh Lord God, that you are the One who stirred up and sustained the irrepressible spirit of discontent that filled the minds, and motivated the wills of those Anguillians, who at great personal risk rose up in the midst of their countrymen, and set about to free this island from the abuses of power, and the indignities being heaped upon us in those days, by those who immediate political responsibility for the affairs of this island.
On this day of treasured memories of the struggles and sacrifices of the Hon. James Ronald Webster, father of the Nation, and the other National Heroes and Heroines, and the Anguilla population of 40 years ago. Lest we forget, and be deceived, as Esau was, into giving up his birthright for a ‘bowl of soup’, lest we forget, and be likewise deceived into giving up the hard-won independence, freedom, and the attendant privileges, to those intent on dispossessing us of those very things Anguillians suffered and struggled and passed on to us: our land, our culture and privileges, for “bowls of soup”, therefore, Sovereign Lord, we bring before your throne those elected to govern and legislate the affairs of this island, both Government and Opposition, their advisers, the Nominated and Ex officio members of the legislature, the Hon Speaker of the House, and all Civil Servants:-
Give to each of them integrity and strength of character, dedication to the true interests of this island, and a discerning spirit to recognize the subtleties of the “Jacobs” who persistently approach them for favours. Give to them the moral strength to resolutely stand against all attempts at corruption and bribery.
O Lord God, in the Name of Jesus, we bring before you this
Inspire with creative vision, and deepen the dedication of all those who work with children and youth within and without the public and private education system. Inspire and deepen the dedication of those who work in the social development programmes of Government, and those involved in the many voluntary organizations on
Prosper the work of the Agricultural Department and all those young people engaged in farming and food production on
Bless and supply the needs of the care-givers in our public and private health-care facilities, and those involved in the foster care of children throughout
Sovereign Lord, our God, Bless us all, we pray, in Jesus’ Name,
AMEN
No Minister of Religion in my experience in Anguilla has ever come so close to the bone in touching on some of the critical integrity-related issues in
Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat is indead goose bumping well said.
If I may, I'll print it, frame it and hang it in the office.
Reverend Weekes, You can be guaranteed that you would not be honoured to give any blessings or prayers again, because you pray the truth.
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