The Tribune

By ANGELA PALACIOUS

IN 2015, the whole world will pray for us. At least, all those involved in the World Day of Prayer, who will focus on our small but great nation to celebrate with us and intercede for us. Each year a different country is chosen and now it is our turn. The spotlight is on us.

Who will we be by 2015? What will have happened between the time we write our story and the reading of it? The writing of the adult and children's services, the bible study and background information have to be completed and submitted by next year, 2013. Why? The material has to be translated into 90 languages and distributed to 150 countries. This is religious tourism at its best. We will be proclaiming the gospel to the whole world and we pray that we will also be making disciples.

As a result of this exposure of the Bahamas, who knows how many might come to our land and find God in our land? Are we ready to be missionaries who do not move?

Are we taking our call seriously, even now, to be spiritual guides and holy mentors?

What will they have heard about us before 2015? How will we play our part on the world stage? Will we be a model of peace and harmony? I hope so. Will we be in the forefront of positive change? I pray so. Will we be trusting God more and more with our whole hearts, I believe so. Why? I think that there are many people who know how to pray and will be praying more earnestly and fervently with each passing day for such miracles.

I look forward to increased participation when we celebrate with France in 2013 and with Egypt in 2014 in March of those years. I anticipate a surge of prayer power as we admit that we are nothing without God but can make all of God's dreams for us come true, with obedience and patience.

I invite you to join with me, and all the other persons who want to see our country fulfill its God-given potential, in an intense and urgent intercession for our nation.

Let us do things the way that is right and pleasing in God's sight. Let us run the race with perseverance not only for Carifta or Olympic gold medals but for the crown that never fades and the glory that is eternal.

Let us be ready on the day that the world prays for us to say how much we have been blessed in the meantime and how much God wants to bless them all.