– “…men ought always to pray, and not to faint …” (Luke 18:1)
The 93.1FM Gospel Plane recently landed after a 12-hour flight, co-piloted by Reverend Winston Assanah, Pastor Diego Alphonso, Apostle Alex Selorm and Reverend Shawn Wilson alongside leaders from the body of Christ in Guyana, as well as the diaspora. This was an all-night prayer for our nation, Guyana, in case you were wondering when our men and women of God achieved their flight badges. The programme commenced at 20:00hrs on Friday, 21st January, with the blessing of Mrs Shelly Thom, owner of 93.1FM, who is continuing the ministry of her late husband, Mr Maxwell Thom.
The all-night prayer has been hailed by many as a model of service by the Church, which is needed for the healing and strengthening of our nation. The popular radio programme – the Gospel Plane – has been on the air for several years and provides gospel music and biblical content to a growing audience, including some regular social media followers. The need for spiritual guidance and healing is evident as the programme’s audience continues to grow.
After a period of worship, Rev. Assanah and Pas. Alphonso set the plane on its flight path at 20:17hrs from our satellite city of Georgetown, Guyana, alongside Mrs Shelly Thom. What a comfort for take-off to be covered by the blood of Jesus via the prayerful co-pilots.
Intercession was done every hour by teams of four to six ministers throughout the night, with the flight deck taken over at 20:30hrs by Apostle Selorm and team. General Bishop Dr John O. Smith led a team at 21:30hrs, and Bishop Dr Murtland Rapahel Massiah was on deck at 22:30hrs. Rev. Dr Marlon Hestick followed with his team at 23:30hrs, and Rev. Bristol Carter took control just past the midnight hour, at 00:30hrs. At this time, Rev. Michael Singh prayed against fear in our nation, declaring as King Jehoshaphat did, that the “…eyes of our nation should be set on the Lord in times when we do not know what to do,” 2 Chronicles 20-12. It was amazing to note several Guyanese in the diaspora joined via ZOOM and remained until the Gospel Plane landed.
In the wee hours of the morning, while men slept, our ministers continued to pray for our nation. Rev. Selwyn Sills led a team from 01:30 hrs, offering prayers of forgiveness for our nation from discrimination and for divine healing. Bishop Terry Thomas declared, “…blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”, as intercession was made for forgiveness from idolatry, racism, persecution, murder and the innocent shedding of blood. Rev. Shaureen McGarrel prayed for our women folk who bear the burdens of our families and nation, experiencing poverty as well as mental and physical abuse. Prayers were also offered for our men to be drawn back to their role of loving our women (as Christ loves the Church) as well as intercession for economic, education and skills training for our women. We hope this mindset can permeate our society about how vital women are to our national development.
In the middle of his session, Rev. Sills burst out in worship with the Doen Moen song,
‘Our Father’:
Hear our prayer
We are your children and
We’ve gathered here today
We’ve gathered here to pray
Hear our cry, Lord we need your mercy
And we need your grace today
Hear us as we pray ….
Prayers were also offered for our men to be drawn back to their role of loving our women (as Christ loves the Church) as well as intercession for economic, education and skills training for our women
He then reflected on the burden we must have for our youths, attending ‘cooler fetes’ and riding around the communities aimlessly while teenage pregnancy and mental health issues are on the rise, particularly in our girls between ages 14 and 16. Intercession done by young ministers Junior Ramkellawan and Pas. Philbert Toney shows that youth are ready to pray for other youth.
Rev. Shawn Wilson ushered in the 02:30 hrs segment from the studio. There was no turbulence on the Gospel Plane deck, as intercession was made for the development of our nation under the authority of scripture in Daniel 9, an account in the Bible that demonstrated Daniel’s understanding of God’s power to deliver nations.
Leading the 04:30 hrs segment from the studio was Pastor Diego Alphonso, who took control from Rev. Dr. Noel Holder. The studio crew played worship by Minister Saiku, by which time the Gospel Plane had been flying for eight and a half hours. First-class passengers included Bishop Patrick Findlay, Bishop Innis and Rev. Ramdat Sarran from the U.S.A, who also led in portions of intercession. They were followed by Apostle Alim Mursalin and a team at 05:30hrs.
This (all night prayer) is an example of how the corporate
and spiritual community can secure the wellbeing of nations
When the 93.1FM Gospel Plane landed at 08:00hrs on Saturday, 22nd January, prayers had covered our nation Guyana for twelve (12) full hours. Several declarations were made to effect and enforce God’s original plans and purposes over and against the plans and purposes of Satan for our nation (upon scripture found in Daniel 6:1-28), including the pillars of arts & entertainment, our economy and entrepreneurial activities, education, family, media and media-related organisations, churches and faith-based organisations as well as our government and executive leaders.
