Photo: Pixabay
Photo: Pixabay
For those of little faith, has there even been a more appropriate time to give into prayer? We’re going to need luck, compliance, resolve and yes, even a little bit of belief to get through this crisis – and it’s enough to prompt President Cyril Ramaphosa to designate a “day of prayer” ahead of our three-week lockdown.
For some, this will be seen as “hopeless hopefulness”. For others, it’s a source of comfort and solidarity. This is not the time to be sneering at each other’s beliefs, and Ramaphosa is encouraging the masses to remain indoors and pay tribute to those who will be the most affected by coronavirus:
In his address on Wednesday night, the president praised South African citizens for showing resilience:
“These are challenging times. Through lockdown, we are traversing a path we have never travelled before. There are many among us who are fearful, uncertain and vulnerable. I call on our people to offer a prayer and a thought for the protection and healing of our land and its people from this disease.
“Over the past two weeks, South Africans from all walks of life have demonstrated their resilience by complying with the restrictions that have been placed on their lives. Because we are in a state of national lockdown our prayers must be offered from our hearts and in our homes.
“The international occurrence of the coronavirus pandemic has affirmed yet again that the challenge we face is a global one and one we cannot overcome alone. I call on all our people, whether they are religious or not, wherever they are, on Thursday 26 March to observe a moment of silence in a show of social solidarity.”
Cyril Ramaphosa