Samoa has officially started its annual week of prayer and fasting on Sunday. 

A church service was held on 2 January this week at the Prayer House at Palisi to mark the annual prayer week and to herald the dawn of a new year and seek God’s protection for Samoa.

The theme for this year’s programme was: “God in prayers and fasting.”

The event was well attended by the Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and Cabinet Ministers.

Church leaders in attendance included: Chairman of the National Council of Churches, Deacon Kasiano Leaupepe, President of the Methodist Church, Reverend Faulalo Leti, Elder Sapele Faalogo of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (L.D.S.), Reverend Nuuausala Siaosi of the Apia Protestant Church. 

Also attending were prominent members of the opposition Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) such as its leader, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi and party Secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.  

Government officials and some of the judges were also present. 

The Chairman of the Elders, Reverend Elder Asotasi Gu Time, of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa led the service. 

Reverend Elder Asotasi spoke of the significance of prayer and fasting. 

“There will come a time when God will answer those who are faithful and have prayed and fasted,” he said.

He said it is through prayer and fasting that the country returns all glory and thanksgiving to God:

“We also pray to God that our journey this year has just begun. It is because with any journey, it is never easy, there are always tribulations along the way.

“The duties faced by each person within their respective callings will not be easy whether it is through Government, family, village and also within the church.

“But there is hope; God will never forsake our prayers and fasting if it is submitted with honesty.”

Reverend Elder Asotasi said that it is also a reminder that God is capable of making the impossible become possible:

“May God bless our country, its Government leaders, and Church leaders.” 

Reverend Nuuausala also prayed for the elimination of violence against women and children in Samoa and even the less fortunate.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo, delivered a notice on behalf of the Head of State declaring the official start of the prayer and fasting week.

Agafili said the Samoan people have accepted God as their ruler and that “Samoa is founded on God.” 

He said that it was the duty of Government leaders and the Samoan people to pray to God at all times for His blessings and protection upon Samoa. 

Agafili said the national period of fasting and prayer is to be observed by every family in Samoa from Sunday 2 January, 2022 until Friday 7 January, 2022.

Hymns were sung by choirs from the Development Bank of Samoa and Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour.  

This year marks over 30 years since the Government of Samoa initiated the annual week of prayers and fasting in order to request God’s protection upon Samoa as the country goes through its annual cyclone season.