‘Pray for our children’

A CALL is being made to pray for the nation’s children!

This is coming from Pastor Dr. Adrian Smith, of the Calvary Moravian Church, who told The Barbados Advocate following yesterday’s service, that at this time when many Barbadians are concerned about the issue of violence in schools, “we need, as a nation, to pray for all our children and to act with greater courage and strength to work with and empower our young people”.

“We cannot just talk down to them or condemn them because that will not work. We have to guide, empower and encourage them to do what is right in the eyesight of God and fulfil their God-given potential,” he declared.

The pastor said that in addition to sharing views, whether good or bad, right or wrong, about what the nation’s children are or are not doing, every single child needs to be covered in prayer. He expressed that the children at pre-school, right through to the young adults at university, need to be prayed for.

“Some of the stuff we just happen to see, but there are so many other things that are not circulated on social media, but are happening. And, it is very important that we forget not only to pray for our own children, but for everybody else’s child.

“Remember, it may not be that your child is doing something or saying something wrong, but as we would have seen, they could very well be a part of a group or in the vicinity, and something could happen,” Pastor Smith said.

The church leader also reminded those in authority and policymakers to pray for the wisdom to act with a sense of courage and confidence, as they deal with issues affecting Barbados’ youth. He said he believes that there is a need for every sector, within Barbados, to work together to not only find solutions, but “just basically to affirm our children”.

“We must remember that all children are not bad as some of us like to say. There are some children who are doing well and some children who are focusing on their school work and preparing for examinations.

“Some children are excelling in athletics and academics. We have to keep affirming that there are good things happening, and encouraging all children to endeavour to do well,” he said.

Pastor Smith also spoke about the importance of prayer as he delivered the sermon during the service, which was attended by members of the Probation Department, who are celebrating their 72nd anniversary.

The friends, family and colleagues of the Principal of Ellerton Primary School, Donna Allman, who celebrated 40 years in the service, were also in attendance.

Staff and students of the Sunshine Stimulation Centre also attended the service at the Roebuck Street, St. Michael church, to mark the Centre’s 10th anniversary.

The church’s Office Secretary, Pat Folkes, who will be going on retirement at the end of this month, was also honoured for almost 30 years of uninterrupted service. (AH)