A cross section of Christians in the tri-state of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia USA, held an afternoon hours of Ecumenical Prayer Service at the Good Samaritan Lutheran Church on Sunday August 10 2014 on 10110 Greenbelt Road Lanham Maryland for a Divine intervention that would facilitate the immediate stop of all destruction being wrecked by Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa in general and Sierra Leone in particular.
The service which was characterized by
several Hymns including “Christ is Made The Sure Foundation,” “Help Us
Accept Each Other Lord”, “O God Of Every Nation”, “God Of Ages” “My Country Tis
of Thee” and several songs of praises, and consistent invoking of the presence
of the most High God in the church, saw dedicated men and women of God pouring
out their heartfelt desires in one spirit to end the existence of Ebola.
In his speech, Ambassador Bockari Kortu
Stevens made reference to the regular updates from the Ministry of Health and
Sanitation in Freetown and further updated the congregation about the
statistics of infection regarding the Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone.
He quoted the speech of President Ernest Bai
Koroma and said the Church service resonates with the call of President Ernest
Bai Koroma. “Ebola is real: Ebola kills”. “Ebola in any part of our
country is a matter for everyone in the nation. “This is not only a matter for
our brothers and sisters in the Kenema and Kailahun districts, it is a fight
for every one of us, everyone in the government, everyone in every political
party, in every region, every district, city, town and village.
He said “Many citizens have risen up to the
challenge of fighting this disease, and we commend them including your great
and noble services, from health workers, to paramount chiefs, teachers, police
officers, religious leaders, youths and ordinary citizens.
“Let me also use this opportunity to commend
all of our local and international partners at the forefront of the fight
against Ebola.” Concluded Ambassador Stevens.
Different individuals among the
congregation emerged and offered prayers to God in diverse languages and
dialects including English, French, Yoruba, Krio, Temne, Limba and Mende.
The congregation joined their hands,
while the pastors knelt down in humility, raising their hands while at the same
time, pouring out their hearts desires to their maker, for his divine
intervention in seeing the end of Ebola in Sierra Leone.
The prayer session also witnessed Muslim
clerics including Alhaji Alimamy Bangura President of the Ebilleh Cultural
Muslim Jammat, Alhaji Denny Davies of the Ebilleh cultural Muslim Jammat,
offered prayers in sequence and recited some Quoranic verses in the church, for
Allah/God to miraculously end the destruction of Ebola Virus Disease in the
West African Nations of Guinea, Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
More than fifteen religious heads were drawn
from various Christian communities and registered Sierra Leonean organizations
in the United States of America. They prayed for the consecration of Hospitals,
Clinics, protection of Doctors, Nurses, Medical Personnel, men, Women who work
for public safety, Educational Institutions Public, Private, those who
care for the sick and needy and a prayer of thanksgiving.
According to host Pastor Reverend Gloria
Cline-Smythe, the service was organized to enable Christians and Muslims with one
determination converge and pray: “for Almighty God to work wonders and end the
killing by Ebola in our Country.”
During his sermon, Rev. Dr. Abdul K. Sesay,
of Kings and Priests Court International Ministries of Silver Spring, Maryland
recalled the days of Egypt, when the Israelites were in bondage, and Pharaoh
refused to let the people go, but the day of the Lord came, and God Almighty
through fervent prayers freed the Israelites and they went to the Promised
Land.
Similarly, the rebel war came and raged-
thereby killing people and destroying properties: yet it ended. Today, it is
Ebola, by the Special grace of God; Dr. Sesay said Ebola will be a history in
Sierra Leone.
Rev. Ken Turay served as the liturgist, while
Rev. Thomas and Rev. Fifi Bhai Kamara served as Co- Pastors. Other Men and
Women of God included Bishop Lucy Anthony, Rev. Dr. Abdul K. Sesay, Pastor
Godwin Archibong, Rev. Ernest Olufemi Williamson Taylor, Rev. Ghazi
Fackie, Pastor Sammy Conteh, Pastor Antoine Ellong and others took the lectern
and prayed to the Almighty God with one aim for God’s Power to overcome the
Ebola Virus disease.
They also prayed for the bereaved families at
home and abroad and for the faithful departed to rest in peace.
Ms. Suna Nallo of NOSLINA gave the Vote of
Thanks
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