Still Pilgrims of Hope: a prayer for this land

Today as I think of this land, as we stand 64 years after we pulled down the Union Jack and hoisted our very own Red, White, and Black, unfortunately the word that comes to mind is fear.

Fear of political instability. Fear that crime continues to run rampant in this tiny twin island republic of just over 1.5 million people. Fear for the future of a nation blessed with such a rich culture, amazing foods, extraordinary creativity, and a spirt that, as Denyse Plummer sang, knows a “Camaraderie so special, like natural instinct.”

It is easier, perhaps even a bit tempting to look at Trinidad and Tobago and see only our flaws, to see all that is broken. We see the violence, the division, the uncertainty and moments when we wonder if the country we inherited is what we dreamt of when we first gained independence.

But alongside that fear is something else…Hope.

And that is the grace we should cling to. Last year in the 2025 Jubilee Year, the Church invited us to become ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’ And I believe this nation should continue to embrace that call, because we are still on a journey, we are still writing our story.

We hope once more for racial unity. We hope for peaceful streets. We hope for productive politics that places country before party and people before power. We hope that the camaraderie that has always been a part of our national character will rise again, and that love will triumph over division.

Let us not forget that we are the land of The Most Holy Trinity, a reminder of who we are called to be: a people, who, despite differences, can become one. We can ensure that every creed and race truly find an equal place, and the Trinity reminds us that unity does not always require sameness.

So, this Independence Day, our greatest patriotic act should be that of love, and we pray that Papa God will heal this land, forgive our sins, and heal this broken land. We ask that He heal the places where fear continues to take root, heal the wounds created by violence and division, heal our politics, heal our communities, heal family life, heal the hardened hearts of those who forget to love. Give us the courage to hope again…

Happy Independence Day, Trinidad and Tobago, and May God Bless our nation! — Rohan Laltoo