On the evening of Sunday, 5 January 2025, Samoa gathered as a nation to inaugurate the Week of Prayer and Fasting before God, seeking divine guidance for Samoa’s journey through the new year.
Leaders of government, church leaders, judiciary members, parliamentarians, and the general public came together in prayer, entrusting to God the plans and goals set for the year ahead.
The service was led by His Grace Archbishop Mosese Tui, leader of the Catholic Church in Samoa. In his address, the Archbishop reminded Samoa that prayer and fasting are not mere rituals but must reflect a genuine commitment to God. He urged the people to fully dedicate their hearts with sincerity and faithfulness to the purpose behind prayer and fasting.
In his message to Samoa, the Archbishop encouraged positive changes that honor God, carried out with humility, honesty, and love, while rejecting selfishness and vengeful attitudes toward others.
“Sui le gaggana tatou te gagana ai, ma ia fai se suiga fou.”
He also directed advice to parliamentarians and Christian church leaders, urging careful consideration of the language used in discourse, as it can weigh heavily on listeners. He emphasized that certain expressions have become inappropriate for the younger generations, who are the future of Samoa.
Archbishop Mosese underscored that prayer and fasting lack true spiritual value if not practiced sincerely. He questioned the point of continuing this observance if it becomes a mere tradition devoid of genuine faith and purpose.
The service included prayers of thanksgiving by Mrs. Fa’aāli Koki, Secretary of the Women’s Fellowship, a prayer of repentance by the Deaconess of the Catholic Church, and a prayer for needs by Mrs. Susana Tunumoso Iosia, Chairperson of the E.F.K.S. General Assembly, who also read from the Holy Scriptures.
Hymns for the event were prepared and sung by the Ministry of Health [M.O.H.] and the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development [M.W.C.S.D.].
This special service was led by the Samoa Council of Churches, with the government providing support through the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The program began with an address by Agafili Tomaimanō Shem Leo, Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, delivering the official message from His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvī II, Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa, designating the dates for the Week of Prayer and Fasting for the entire nation.
The week will officially conclude on Friday, 10 January 2025, with a formal closing ceremony at the National Prayer House in Palisi.
This story was originally published on the Savali Newspaper Facebook page and written in Samoan by Pesetā Tusiga Taofiga.
