Prayer is something most if not all of us have done since we were little tots whether it was before a meal or before we go to sleep or something of the sort. As we get older though, our prayers change as we have so much more things to pray about whether it is for finances, protection, long life, health etc. The one thing we know is that no matter what situation we are in and no matter where we are we have the assurance that we can always look to God in prayer. This article purports to briefly set out just how important prayer is to us as people and to our nation.
The bible admonishes us to pray without ceasing. While this scripture was to Christians, prayer is something that everyone can do. Whenever there is a hurricane season approaching our leaders across the Caribbean admonishes us to pray. Whenever there is an election or civil unrest again we get on our knees and pray. There are very few people who having prayed can say that they didn't feel better. Prayer gives you a sense of immense solace that everything will be alright. As a matter of fact some people who do not profess to be Christians pray more than the Christians themselves because they like most of us believe in the power of prayer. They know that there is a God who controls everything and they know that he is merciful enough to answer their prayers.
I have found myself in many a situation where my only hope was prayer and faith that God would find a way for me to get through the situation. In my second year at UWI Cave Hill I was struck by a serious case of dengue fever a couple of weeks before exams. I lost serious weight, missed classes, couldn't eat, was as weak as a baby and felt the most helpless I have felt in my entire life. I was away from my family and my doctor which made it worse. While I was worried about my health, I was equally worried about my ability to successfully do my exams for that semester as time was running out on me before my exams and was missing critical review classes. I seriously considered simply sitting the exams another time but that would mean taking longer to graduate. However in my weak and desperate state, the only thing that could console me was prayer. As I prayed God simply worked things out. One of my fellow students decided to be my nurse making sure I got medication, making sure I ate and just simply checking up on me. Others brought me notes and surprisingly enough I was able to sit and pass all the exams. I had inherited a false sense of physical invincibility from my dad as we always said we don't get sick but when dengue fever hit me, I knew that I was just as human as anyone else and I had to call on one that was higher than I for help. This is just one of the few cases where, because of my prayers, God has come through for me and my family. I often say that if there is anything good about me it is because of the mercies of God and nothing else.
I remember leading up to the last elections, there were some concerns among a group of us NRP supporters that CCM would find a way to steal the election. Lo and behold someone who was thought to be the least religious of all of us boldly declared that he knew that God would work things out and that he would continue praying because he knew that whichever way the elections went, God would see him through. While I agreed with him, I was so shocked to hear one like him say that. I think most people were shocked too as there was dead silence after that. I know all too well how God has kept me and my family through difficult times especially shortly after CCM won in 1992 when it seemed like at every turn CCM wanted to crucify us. We simply turned to God in prayer and trusted him to look out for us and just like that things turned around. While there were some rough times, we never lost faith and God saw us through. I could go on and on about different situations where God has pulled me through and I am sure that many of my readers too can do the same.
As we progress as a people things won't always be all fine and dandy. Violent crime is on the increase and murders in the Federation are now more than once per month. People are dying younger, our security and safety is threatened, medical bills are getting higher bank payments are overdue, spouses are divorcing their spouses, friends and family keep stabbing each other in the back and yet we still have to deal with the pernicious creature that is AIDS. Some have gone into abject depression while others are either close to or have already lost their mind. Some have turned to methods that they would prefer not to mention to their closest friend and others have given up hope altogether. However I urge all in these situations to turn to God in prayer. When politicians, friends, family members, banks, spouses, bosses and associates don't come through for you, God can and God will. Go down on your knees today and experience the panacea that is prayer. It has worked for me and I guarantee you that prayer too can work for you.
