DECADES after the 1990 coup, the nation has not been healed from the wounds and Trinidad and Tobago’s democracy was still very vulnerable.
This is according to President Paula-MaeWeeks whose statements come a few days prior to the General Election 2020.
The President was speaking on Sunday during the National Day of Prayer held at the St Patrick’s RC School at Maraval Road in Newtown, Port-of-Spain. The ceremony was attended by members of various faith communities and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Talking about her own personal experiences, Weekes said: “The wounds have not been healed. Some of them have not even grown a scab. Our democracy still feels vulnerable. Many traumatised victims have not returned to their former selves and the ripple effect of those five awful days keeps rearing their ugly heads.”
She added that she was thankful to God “that those who sought to rob us of this opportunity were unsuccessful.”
Weekes also said that she prays regularly for Trinidad and Tobago and much “fervent intercession was necessary.”
High on the prayer list were personal and job security, racism especially during the campaigning period, injustice in all forms, economic stability, youth and dealing with Covid-19.
Weeks said even those who did not believe in prayer or its power had hope for a brighter future and deeds must accompany prayer.
“Beyond our hope and prayers, plans and visions for our nation, we must act on our intentions. Without deliberate effort on our part, what we wish for and what we pray for will not materialize,” she said.
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The President ended her speech by quoting from the Bible specifically from the book of Isaiah Chapter 58 which she said summarised the present state of the nation.
The passage of scripture states that if humanity would call on God, he will banish oppression and slander, if the hungry was feed and the afflicted taken care of, strength will be renewed and restoration will take place.
