Day of Prayer being held on Thursday, May 4

Residents from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke are being encouraged to answer the Territory-wide call to pray in observance of the 21st Annual BVI Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 4, 2017.

Founder and Chairman of the Interdenominational Day of Prayer Committee Mr Linton Wheatley has issued the Territory-wide call to pray to help people understand that prayer is an effective tool and a powerful weapon that has divine power to change adverse circumstances.

“The BVI Day of Prayer is one way for us as a people to collectively change the spiritual landscape of the Territory of the Virgin Islands,” he said.

This year’s theme is “For your great name’s sake, hear us, forgive us, heal us!”. It was was inspired by Daniel 9 verse 19.

Mr Wheatley said, in addition to the all-day live call-in prayer requests on the four participating radio stations, the Committee this year added two new events to highlight the importance and benefits of prayer. Those events are Community Prayer Gatherings, and Educational Panel Discussions.

He said Community Prayer Gatherings will be held in 10 different zones from 5am to 6am at the Stickett in Long Look, Festival Grounds on Wickham’s Cay I, Sea Cow’s Bay Methodist Church, Island Sizzle grounds in Baugher’s Bay, Tower of Faith Church at Frenchman’s Cay, Cane Garden Bay Park, The Watch House at Fahie Hill, Jost Van Dyke Methodist Church, the Settlement on Anegada, and Valley in Virgin Gorda.

Mr Wheatley is encouraging residents to participate in the Community Prayer Gatherings, and join in praying against issues affecting the different communities.

“This year, we are also placing an emphasis on educating people about the role of prayer in our everyday lives. So we have organised four Educational Panel Discussions on topics, including ‘How I Use Prayer to Guide My Life’ at 11am on ZKING, ‘The Importance of the Family Prayer Altar’ at 1pm on ZCCR, ‘The Role of Prayer in the Territory’s Development’ at 2pm on ZBVI, and ‘Using Prayer in the Marketplace’ at 3pm on ZVCR,” Mr Wheatley further said.

He stated that the Committee also considered ways to increase youth involvement and, as a result, the annual BVI Day of Prayer Evening Service will include a power-packed evening of praise, worship and prayers with the Territory’s youth, featuring prominently from 5pm to 7pm at the Festival Grounds.

Mr Wheatley said Gabrielle Hoyte will lead the praise and worship session, Minister Joshua Edwards will deliver a special testimony, The Eagles Network will minister in dance, and young Minister Trevaughn Smith of Transformational Church International is poised to deliver a powerful and timely word from the Lord.

Other highlights will be radio messages from Premier Dr D Orlando Smith, minister responsible for Ecclesiastical Affairs Myron Walwyn, and Leader of the Opposition Andrew Fahie.

Mr Wheatley has expressed appreciation to the increasing number of denominations that combine their efforts to lend support to the annual BVI Day of Prayer.

Residents are invited to tune in to the four participating radio stations – ZBVI, ZVCR, ZKING and ZCCR on Thursday, May 4 to answer and join in the Territory-wide call “to pray for God’s divine intervention as prayers are offered up to the Lord for a crime-free Territory, economic prosperity, divine wisdom for our leaders, preservation of families, revival, protection during the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season and other issues”.

The Interdenominational Day of Prayer coordinating committee launched its first BVI Day of Prayer in 1996. Under the leadership of Mr Wheatley, similar Day of Prayer observances are held in St Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica.

The information for this story was contributed.

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