Intercessors host Advent retreat

Submitted by Rev Peter Timothy
and Russel Gonzales

The Friends of Jesus Intercessory Group held its Advent retreat at the Caroni Retreat Centre from Friday, November 28 to Saturday 29.
St Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, said that there are only three things that last: faith, hope and love (1 Cor 13:13).
Fr Urban Hudlin OP, our presenter, challenged the participants on all the aspects of hope, and ‘zeroed in’ on prayer as intercessors. We should be constantly looking forward as this Advent Season requires of us.
He asked that the breakout groups compose a prayer for our nation based upon the Word of God (Scripture), our identity as a people using symbols and our present concerns with the song ‘Heal our land’ to be sung as a prelude to each group’s prayer. These are the prayers that were composed by the three groups:

GROUP 1

Prayer for Trinidad and Tobago

1 Timothy 2:1–5

God our Father, You ask that we offer prayers for everyone. We bring our country, Trinidad and Tobago, before you. We pray for unity in diversity, remembering that You want everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. Our desire is to do what is right and acceptable to You. Through our prayer and intercession, may we rise like the Scarlet Ibis above the fear, violence and division that threaten our land. May hope bloom in our hearts like the petals of the double Chaconia, so that we may be able to live the peaceful and quiet lives that you have for our country, La Trinity.

GROUP 2

Prayer for Trinidad and Tobago

Lord, we praise and thank You for this callaloo, this melting pot of people that You have created here in Trinidad and Tobago as one nation that bears Your name La Trinity.

Lord, Your Word in Jeremiah 29:11–14 says:

“I know the plans I have in mind for you—it is Yahweh who speaks—plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you. Then when you call to me and come to plead with me, I will listen to you. When you seek me, you shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me.”

At this time of uncertainty, we pray for persons who are inciting ethnic division among Your people. Heal the wounds of cultural misunderstanding and political unrest.

Lord, You are a God of unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, send Your Holy Spirit to change their hearts to cultivate love and respect for each other so that together we can build a nation to Your Word (plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for You) and live out our motto: Together we aspire, together we achieve.

We commit our prayer and our nation of Trinidad and Tobago into Your loving hands, trusting that Your plans for us are for good. Unite us so that we may walk together in harmony for all to see.

GROUP 3

Prayer for Trinidad and Tobago

Psalm 1:3

Like a coconut tree bears fruit and endures the tests of time, may our youth and young adults be rooted in Christ and, like the immortelle tree, may the Church provide shelter and refuge for them through the storms of life. May we, as the adults, encourage and support them through the challenges they face.

May God bless the work of their hands, and may they become missionary disciples who proclaim Christ in season and out of season in Jesus’ name. Amen.