First Lady Organizes Special Thanksgiving Day Program -Pres. Boakai Says God Turning Things for Nation’s Good

MONROVIA – That Liberia is a Christian nation – or others will say religiously minded – is often disputed by some, but the fact is that evidence of history, coupled with overt policy practices, suggests otherwise. While empirical data may not be available in the debate over this matter, it is safe to say that eight or nine in every ten Liberians would claim to belong to one of the two main religious groups in the country, Christianity and Islam, or so they would profess. And there are policy edicts, including proclamations of national holidays, that epitomize religious inclinations by both Government and the people. The incumbent first family, like its predecessor, is not making the fact a secret as demonstrated by the organizing of a special gathering in honor of the celebration of this year’s National Thanksgiving Day, a public holiday, with Christian or religious roots. Specifically worked out by First Lady Karmutu Boakai, along with the ‘Body of Christ,’ the occasion brought together scores of Liberians and provided a platform used by President Joseph Boakai to assure citizens that “God is turning things around” and that Liberia will be a shining example in the world’s comity of nations.

Liberia’s First Lady Kartumu Yarta Boakai in collaboration with the Body of Christ in Liberia has added a bit of flavor and fervor to the celebration of this year’s Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday celebrated on the First Thursday of November every year.

The occasion was taken to the elegant edifice of the Harvest Intercontinental Cathedral in Congo, where hundreds of Liberians converged and praised God Almighty, and offered prayers to Him on behalf of the citizenry for His wondrous works in the life of the nation and its people.

One of the main speakers at the occasion was President Joseph Nyuma Boakai who acknowledged the prayers offered by prelates at the ceremony and asserted that “God will turn things around in the interest of Liberia, and that Liberia again will be be a shining example” in the comity of nations.

“We want to thank all of you for coming, and we want to say that your prayers have are heard and I am sure God will turn things around in the interest of our country and that Liberia again will be a shining example,” the president told the well-parked congregation.

President Boakai urged Liberians to take confidence in the fact that Liberia is being restored with honor and it’s about time that citizens took advantage of that Liberians have been in the past and what they can offer to the world.

“Liberians are a great people,” the president said. “They are people of love and they have shown that to the world and even to our sub region.”

The Liberian leader indicated that Liberia is the only country he knows in the sub region that has never even asked any citizen to leave the land, noting Liberia’s doors are always opened to all peoples for the goodness of God to bless everybody.

“I believed that it is in this order that we are here today to thank God for all we have gone through; we have shown resilience, courage and at this time we are here to rise, shine and be a blessing,” the president said, adding, “I know this is possible”.

The Liberian Chief Executive however lauded the office of the first lady and the body of Christ for organizing such a gathering for Liberians to thank God for his many blessings upon the nation and its people.

“I want to thank you all for organizing this service. I remembered some years ago when founder of this institution told me about its founding. Here’s it today we are assembled her through its effort to celebrate and pray for our country,” Boakai further said.

The service which brought together several Liberian prelates, including bishops, pastors, prophets and other church leaders. It was focused on praising God for his blessing, mercy and grace upon Liberia.

At the service, pastors were designated to pray for the different branches of the Liberian government which include the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary for the restoration of peace and harmony in the country.

Pastor Simeon Dunbar of the Liberty Christian Fellowship Church who was tasked to offer a special prayer for the president and family, called for divine leadership over Liberia through president Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

Pastor Dunbar noted that without God’s guidance and direction in every government, that government stands to fail, and its people will suffer.

He also urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to seek God’s intervention in every decision he made and lead Liberia by God’s command.

The thanksgiving service was graced by several officials of Government including Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, House Speaker J. Fonati Kofa, government ministers, deputy Ministers, assistant ministers, directors and host of other Liberians from different backgrounds.