Christians pack QPS to pray for TT

The entire Grand Stand was filled to capacity and the chairs placed to the north and east of the stage were also fully occupied.

The Christians took the opportunity to pray so as the day coincided with the Global Day of Prayer 2005.

In his opening remarks, Colin Ferreira of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce told the congregation, "Today we will be led into a day of prayer by a number of individuals, most of whom are ministers, or priests of different denominations but you may not know this because there will be no titles on this day and they will all be more or less dressed the same."

This statement brought loud cheers from the gathering before he went on to explain. "There’s no intention to disrespect anyone. Our intention today is to strip ourselves of any titles or positions we may hold and to humble ourselves before God and to lift up the name of Jesus, and His name only."

More applause followed this statement before Ferreira told them that the Lord must hear from each and everyone of us here today."

Members of several faiths joined in song, praise and prayer for the country. Some of the faiths represented were Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Ang-lican, Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist and the Evangelical church.

The proceedings opened with an inter-denominational worship team which comprised a choir made up of singers from different religions and a band with members mainly for the San Fernando Open Bible Church.

In the past and even at a recent show held at the venue, patrons have had to endure a faulty sound system but this did not occur yesterday.

Every musical instrument was heard clearly, as well as every voice on the stage singing "Lord You Are Good," "Lord Lift Your Name On High," "How Great Thou Art," "I Give thanks," "His Name Is Exalted" and "Above All."

With the power of the music, and the riveting vocals of Ria Mark and Dale Griffith, the packed Grand Stand immediately was on its feet and with hands raised, emotions ran high.

In polo t-shirts with the words, "I am praying for Trinidad and Tobago, what about you?" members of the different faiths then prayed under themes "denominational disunity," "ethnic Disunity," "Parental neglect and abuse/rebellion and dishonouring of Parents," "social inequity and injustice," "rebellion," "corruption," "Law-lessness" and sexual immorality."

As prayers were being offered, a man representing Trinidad and Tobago appeared on stage. He was dressed in the national colours with ropes and chains around his neck and falling from his arms. This was to signify the ills that are choking TT.

Prayers were then said for the nation’s leaders, families, the youth, schools, businesses, unity and national issues.

The crowd was urged to hug and shake hands with one another and especially with someone from a race other than their own. They all complied.