"Agree to disagree agreeably" - Pastor Wycliffe Smith
CAY HILL:--- Several Pastors from various churches came together on Tuesday afternoon and prayed for the three leaders of the three political parties that came together to form the coalition government for 2014-2018. The short but powerful prayer service took place at Bearing Point in Cay Hill where several persons including nine persons appointed by the three political parties have been working on the Governing Program for the next four years.
Pastor Wycliffe Smith the main organizer of the event said that the churches have been praying throughout the election period, on Election Day and even up to today as the political parties worked on forming the new government they have been praying. Pastor Smith said God has spoken and the leaders of the three political parties ought to make this coalition government work for the next four years. "We believe that the outcome of the election is God's will and that the churches will continue to pray for the political leaders throughout the years ahead."
He said many persons on St. Maarten do not want this government to work but it is the duty of the leaders of the political parties to agree to disagree agreeably and make it work for St. Maarten.
"Our prayer is that these parties namely the National Alliance, Democratic Party and the United St. Maarten Party that have come together to work together be granted the wisdom, guidance and direction of the Almighty God. Our prayer is also is that you lead and prepare and execute the governing program for the next four years. We also pray that you will prioritize the issues that the government and parliament would have to deal with and that you focus on it all with God's help. We also pray that you as leaders will select the right people to work for government and parliament." He stressed that a coalition of three is much more challenging than a coalition of two especially in this case where the margin is so thin, therefore it behooves you to bend over backwards to make it work. "There are people who are waiting and expecting for this coalition to fall "make it work", only you can make it work. There are people that are waiting for Marlin, Wescot and Richardson to be at odds with each other and disagree publicly, you must "make it work" agree to disagree agreeably." Pastor Smith made clear that as leaders they will not always see eye to eye but they must be able to agree to disagree agreeably. "People are expecting that this government would not work, but it is up to you to make it work for four years. John Maxwell once said that team work makes the dream work but a vision becomes a nightmare when the leader has a big dream and a bad team. People on St. Maarten are tired of the changing of governments, ship jumping and media warfare, therefore you have to make it work." Pastor Smith further told the political leaders that are also people out there that expects that this government will be an example of good governance, transparent governance, and expedient governance. Nelson Mandela said that honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility pure generosity, absence of vanity, and a readiness to serve will make it work. The country is longing for righteous leaders, meaning leaders that will do the right thing not according their own standards but the standards of God.
Erna May Francis Cotton advised the political leaders to put aside their personal agendas and work for the best interest of St. Maarten, she also indicated that she is willing to do what is necessary for St. Maarten. Other Pastors that attended the service read scriptures some calling on the political leaders to ensure that they keep the peace on the island. Another Pastor prayed against all sorts of evil and witchcraft that some politicians engage in.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin thanked the church leaders for their kindness and thoughts in praying for the incoming government. Marlin said that while the political leaders are in the forefront there are people on the team that have been working endless hours to draft the governing program which will be presented on Wednesday September 24th, 2014. Marlin also thanked Bearing Point for their hard-work and their generosity for offering their workplace to house the team of persons along with the staff of Bearing Point here and on Curacao that worked in the background on the draft governing program.
Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams also expressed thanks to the churches and pastors who thought of them and offered their prayers. She said that the words spoken on Tuesday will serve as a reminder when challenging times arise. Leader of the USp Frans Richardson also shared the same sentiments as both of the other two leaders he also thanked Bearing Point and the team of people that have been working day and night on the governing program.
Click here to view photos of the prayer service.
