His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah has, by proclamation, declared Friday, April 8, 2022, “National Fast and Prayer Day”, to be observed throughout Liberia as a national holiday.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the proclamation is in consonance with the Patriotic and Cultural Observances Law of the Republic of Liberia, Chapter One, declaring the second Friday in the month of April of each year as “National Fast and Prayer Day”, as a day of fasting and praying for the prosperity of the nation.
The day is observed as a day of supplication, prayer, fasting and meditation “so that our efforts as a people may be crowned with great achievements to the common cause of the nation, the state, and our common humanity”.
The people of the Republic of Liberia have always submitted themselves, in humble contrition, to the Almighty God for guidance and protection as well as for peace in their national life and affairs.
The proclamation further expressed that there have been unusual and extraordinary outbreaks of natural phenomena and man-provoked national crises that have caused much harm, devastation and destruction in many parts of the world, and in which our nation has been spared by the grace of God.
“There are still large numbers of our kin living in uncertain conditions in the Diaspora, and the need for remembrance in prayer of those who have made the supreme sacrifice remains unfulfilled,” the proclamation says.
The proclamation, therefore, calls upon all Prelates, Priests, Elders, Deacons, Evangelists, Imams, and all residents, regardless of religious creed, to gather with one accord in their places of worship, in each city, town, village, hamlet and home, within the territorial confines of the Republic of Liberia.
The proclamation further orders all public offices, business houses and market places to remain closed on this day from 8:00 o’clock in the morning to 6:00 o’clock in the evening, while citizens and foreign residents will cease from their daily occupations and avocations in further recognition of God’s love and guidance.
