“A lot more is wrought by prayer than people realise.” These were the words of Fr Michael Makhan as he gave the welcoming address at the Apostleship of Prayer Rally that took place on Sunday, June 25 at Our Lady of Fatima Church Curepe.

The event started at 10 a.m. with prayer and hymns. Fr Makhan, spiritual director for the Apostleship of Prayer, led most of the day’s proceedings. The church was filled to capacity with a crowd that included some young adults and primary school students. Mass began at 11.00 a.m.  Archbishop Edward Gilbert presided with Fr Makhan concelebrating.

In his homily Archbishop Gilbert thanked the Apostleship of Prayer for their ministry. Drawing from the readings, Archbishop Gilbert said that the way God governs is a mystery which, in many ways, we cannot understand.

He explained that suffering is not punishment for sins. Everyone suffers at some point and we may not know the reason for it, but if we believe in God’s plan for each one of us, could accept that nothing happens by accident and transpose our faith into trust for God we can accept the grief and disappointments in life and find meaning in them.

Making reference to the crime situation here in Trinidad and Tobago the Archbishop pointed out, “Many people in our nation, nice, just, fair-minded, easy to live with, charitable people have suffered terribly in this insane violence that’s going on.”

Taking a lunch break during last Sunday's Apostleship of Prayer rally.

The reason for the suffering is not because of any fault of the victims. He said the misuse of liberty by others is the cause, adding that God allows such things because God created everyone with free will.

To deal with this problem Archbishop Gilbert stated that we need to be wise and look out for each other, caring not only for ourselves.

We need to trust in God that the response and witness we give in the face of this violence will carry us through not only to safety, but to making sense of the world.

The Archbishop explained that when you have the values of the kingdom, which would prevent you from hurting others, it is very difficult to understand what is happening in the world.

He said that Job’s story is very important to the Apostleship of Prayer ministry as people who are committed to praying for others. God uses the power of their prayers to touch the lives of other people who must be open to the power of the Spirit.

The secret to persevering in ministry is to accept the love of God. If your heart does not accept God’s love for you it is very difficult for you to go out of your way to help others.

After Mass there was a lunch break. Participants, on being asked not to eat in the church, went to the parish hall and to any comfortable seating area around the church to have lunch.

Many people and groups brought food to share and there was great fellowship during the meal. After lunch there was recitation of the Rosary led by the group from Chaguanas.

Benediction brought a close to a successful 2006 Apostleship of Prayer rally.