Prayers And Fasting Proclamation Re-affirms God’s “Supreme Authority”
Chairman of the National Council of Churches, retired (Methodist Church) Reverend Aisoli Aiuli, leading the special Church service on Sunday, 8 January, 2023.
Photo: Government of Samoa
The second National Week of Prayers and Fasting hosted under the administration of the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) government is underway.
Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II formally declared Sunday, 8 January to Friday, 13 January to be observed as the week of prayers and fasting for Samoa in a proclamation.
The Head of State and his Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano attended the special Church service that officially opened prayers and fasting week, a period of seven days that “re-affirm the supreme authority of God” over the government and Samoa.
“In the holy name of God the almighty the everlasting whereas sovereignty over the universe belongs to the omnipresent God alone,” the proclamation begins.
“Whereas the leaders and the people of Samoa in full acceptance of this eternal truth have declared in the Constitution that their nation should be founded on Christian principles and that they have adopted as the official motto of Samoa the declaration Samoa is founded on God.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet (M.P.M.C.) Agafili Shem Leo read the National Week of Prayers and Fasting proclamation out loud at the Church service held at the Government Prayer House in Palisi on Sunday afternoon.
“Whereas the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Church leaders of Samoa in re-affirming the supreme authority and the just government of the almighty God have requested le Afioga le Ao Mamalu o le Malo designate and proclaim a period of national prayers and fasting in the country,” the proclamation reads.
“Whereas the leaders and people of Samoa must always remember the neverchanging love and grace of our God in good times as well as in difficult times; Whereas it is the duty of the leaders and the people of Samoa to bow before Him in humility to confess their sins and transgressions and to pray for pardon with sincerity and heartfelt repentance.”
“Whereas the land, the animals, the birds and the sea and living things existing therein the gifts of God in our environment have been greatly damaged by cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and changes in the weather and have affected the development of our country.”
His Highness Tuimalealiifano signed the proclamation last Sunday.
The Church service was hosted by the Government of Samoa in partnership with the National Council of Churches (N.C.C.).
N.C.C. Chairman, the Retired (Methodist Church) Rev. Aisoli Iuli led the special Church service.
A choir from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.) led the gathering in hymns.
Among the attendees were Member of the Council of Deputies Le Mamea Ropati Mualia, Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio, Deputy leader of F.A.S.T. Laauli Leuatea Schmidt, Cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, government C.E.O.s and public servants from various ministries.
Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.), former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was also in attendance.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa was noticeably not in attendance. She is New Zealand for medical purposes.
In her New Year’s Day Address, Prime Minister Fiame thanked Church leaders of various denominations “for uplifting Samoa in your prayers every day.”
“The Scriptures remind us that only through prayer, thanksgiving and supplication shall enable us to know and respond accordingly to God’s plan for Samoa,” she said.
“For this purpose, government continues to commit to the week of prayer and fasting in partnership with the National Council of Churches.”