Turning to prayer

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Managing Editor ANTONIETA B. LOPEZ Business Editor ODETTE MONTELIBANO Desk Editor MARY ANN BARCELONA Advertising Coordinator RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete

ANDRES R. LEONARDIA Managing Director

When an inter-faith group held a prayer-for-unity gathering at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City Wednesday, it actually employed an enduring tested-and-proven way among believers in the Divine Providence in meeting challenges, hurdling obstacles and facing problems of varying degrees individuals face from day to day.

Both sectarian and sectoral leaders reiterated the need for more prayer rallies to address the problems of society - from inequality to oppression, corruption and poverty as well as issues on governance. Organizers, in promoting the activity, said they were inspired by a Biblical verse which stresses: If the people humble themselves, confess their sins and turn away from evil, God will heal their land. Interestingly, the focus on the inspiring verse comes at a time when the nation marks the National Bible Week, which has also been passed as a local commemoration by the Bacolod Sanggunian. The celebration is anchored on the theme, "God's Word: Power for National Renewal".

The week-long celebration started when President Marcos signed a presidential proclamation in 1979 and became an official commemoration every last week of January when Presidents Aquino and Ramos issued separate proclamations stressing the importance of reading and studying the Bible. President Arroyo reinforced the proclamations of her predecessors by expressing hopes that "God's words become our sanctuary" at a time of urgent change.

For God and Bible-believers, this week's occasion brings hope and a ray of light that would lead our nation to overcome the crises if only our officials and the Filipinos, in general, take the paths of righteousness. The hope for a better Philippines, however, will be better realized if Bible-reading and prayers are practiced not only during this week but, more so, every day of the rest of the weeks of the year.*