Prayer for the Nation

THE EDITOR: O Lord the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands. We have sinned and done wrong by shedding innocent blood, by raising up delinquent children, by fathers forsaking their responsibility, by encouraging greed, covetousness through the gambling scenario, by encouraging lewdness and vulgarity in the form of Carnival, by ministers in high places manifesting corrupt practices, by people who are supposed to protect and serve doing the complete opposite. Father, we have been truly wicked and we have rebelled against you, we have not listened to the men of God who you have raised up to give wisdom to those of us in authority in the land. Lord, you are righteous and this day we are covered with shame that even our death toll both from road carnage and banditry has reached such a high level.

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, and although all in the nation have turned their back on you. It’s because of this; the curse causeless has come upon us — we have sown the wind and we are reaping a whirlwind. You have fulfilled your words written in the Bible. You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Because you love us you have chastened us like a father dealing with his child in order to bring out righteousness of character. With all that, we have not sought your favour by making our about-turn as regards to the sins of the nation. Now O Lord our God who saved us from the wrath of the elements in times past, in order that generosity will flow out from us in such a time like this, turn away this predicament we have brought on ourselves. Our sins and the sins encouraged by past regimes have made TT and your people an object of scorn, in that some wait to close up shop and leave. Forgive us for encouraging racial hatred in the land. We do not make request because of our righteousness but because of your great mercy. O my God do not delay, for your country and your people bear your name, La Trinity.

IAN CROSS
Arima