The government’s week of Prayer and Fasting was officially closed at the Methodist Church at Matafele, yesterday.

 The Head of State, His Highness, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II and his Masiofo, Fa’amausili Leinafo, Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and public servants were present during the service. 

The gathering ended a week where public servants and members of the public were encouraged to fast food and drinks from morning until the afternoon. 

This year is the 27th year since the government of Samoa initiated the annual week of prayers and fasting to ask God for his protection upon Samoa as the country cycles through the Cyclone season.

The service was conducted by Reverend Elder Iosefa Uilelea, Secretary of Elders at the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa.

So far, Samoa has been spared of any major calamity since 2012 when Cyclone Evan hit.

As of yesterday, Tile Tofaeono, Acting Chief Executive Officer, there was a trough of low pressurenorth of Samoa bringing with it associated clouds and showers.

“There will be a time that we experience the hard pouring rain but that is not something to be worried about,” he said.

“Of course the weather patterns will change from time to time but there is nothing to be worry about at this stage.”

The man in charge of the Met Office, Mulipola Ausetalia Titimaea, said he is grateful to God for his protection upon Samoa during the festive season. 

“I thank the heavenly father for saving Samoa from natural disasters as we have seen on television, many countries have been affected,” he said.

“I acknowledge the initiative of the Prayer and Fasting Week which presents us an opportunity to ask God for his divine protection upon Samoa.”