Pause For Prayer To Curb Violence

At midday on Friday, all of Barbados is being invited to pause for one minute to pray for peace in response to the spate of violence currently being experienced.

The initiative, which has as its theme Pause for a Cause, is being spearheaded by the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs.

Minister in that Ministry, which also has responsibility for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Cynthia Forde, met today with faith leaders to garner support for three days of prayer and reflection from midday Friday, February 1, through Sunday, February 3.

The Minister explained that while everyone is asked to pause at midday on Friday to pray, persons are also encouraged during the 72 hours to attend any gathering for prayer and reflection. Churches, mosques and other places of worship will be opened to facilitate this.

The Minister urged the full participation of the population in the Weekend of Prayer and Reflection, noting: “Whatever we do during this weekend, it should be reflective. Some of our people are falling through the cracks and it is time to seek divine intervention to get the country back on track.”

Activities are also being planned for February, as part of this initiative. These will include a Day of Love, Peace and Commitment on Wednesday, February 13, and a faith-based consultation to devise strategies aimed at helping persons in communities to develop coping skills, particularly in the area of conflict resolution.(BGIS)