THEY MET for one purpose: to offer up prayers and praises to God.
It was not your usual service when about 25 women of the Mount of Praise Wesleyan Holiness Church’s women’s ministry gathered just after 8 p.m. last Thursday to pray all night.
Huddled together in the sanctuary, they prayed for, among other things, young adults; the finances of the church; the Government and Opposition parties; good health; their pastors; for backsliders; and for the Wesleyan Church’s upcoming district general election.
Together, with assistant pastor Ronnie Quimby, they walked the aisles of the church, earnestly seeking God’s direction. Tears were shed, testimonies of God’s goodness and faithfulness shared, and hearts healed during the five-hour-long vigil.
Leading in worship were Cheryl Norville-Griffith and Cheryl Harewood, while head of the women’s ministry, Shirley Gibbs, shared a short message during which she urged those gathered to continue making prayer a vital part of their lives.
“If we want to see change in our lives, prayer must be part of our daily living. If we want healing to take place we must pray. So often we go about our daily lives behaving as if we are in control.
“Prayers change things and situations,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs quoted Psalm 55:17, stressing that prayers should be made morning, noon and evening.
She noted that often we are apt to blame the world around us for every misfortune, and criticize the youth, when we should ask ourselves: “Did I take time out to pray for the young people in my community and for my home?”
She further said that prayers should be sent up continually for the country’s leaders – that God would grant them wisdom and understanding.
“Philippians 4:6 reminds us to be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplications let our requests be made known to God. Jesus’ disciples knew the importance of prayer and as a result they asked Jesus to teach them to pray,” Gibbs emphasized.
“We must get mobilized; live holy and righteous lives, and change the way we do things. We must be guided by the Word of God. We want to see Barbados become a nation of godly worshippers. Therefore, let us pray out prostitution, witchcraft and indecent behaviour from among our youth and the older generation.
The women would pray well past the midnight hour.
• To have your church featured in Altar Call, please call Cheryl Harewood at 430-5499, or email cherylharewood @nationnews.com.
