The master of service for the Government's week of fasting and prayer, Reverend Auatama Esera, Chairman of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa (C.C.C.S.) has urged the nation and its leaders to take fasting seriously and not make it an exercise for show. 

Held at the Prayer House at Palisi on Sunday, the week of fasting and prayer which is an annual event by the Government to seek God’s protection upon Samoa over the next 12 months was officially opened with a strong message by the C.C.C.S Chair.

He called upon the government, leaders of the country as well as the whole nation to put more meaning into fasting and prayer as it is not just for show.

"Fasting and prayer do not work if you just do it for the eyes of people," he said. "For example, if we fast to be healed from all our illnesses, but we continue to smoke and drink alcohol, then that's not fasting.

"Fasting is when you leave everything to seek healing for your illnesses, Leave everything that makes you unhealthy. If you are fasting to build love between you and your neighbour, then good but if you fast for that, you also have to improve the love between you and your spouse because it also involves families."

Rev. Esera continued to stress on the significance of the government's week of fasting and prayer for the development of Samoa as a nation founded on God under the theme, "The Unity of Samoa is founded on God."

"Our devotional service tonight marks the beginning of our nation's week of prayers and fasting," he said.

"From our reflections, we are reminded that prayers and fasting are not academic exercises for our minds to study for better understanding but rather a life to live with full devotion from our hearts, minds, and souls and with sincere reverence for God.

"We have many goals in our minds that we want to achieve through our prayers and fasting but tonight also we are reminded that our part is to pray and fast with sincere reverence to God.

"God our Father who sees in secret will answer our prayers in his ways, and in his time he sees most suitable for us. Let us all join together with reverence in prayers and fasting not only for this week but as far as we may live."

Meanwhile, the Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaleto'a Sualauvi II and Masiofo, Cabinet Ministers, Leaders of the Council of Churches, members of diplomatic corp and government officials were present at the opening of the prayer and fasting week.

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa was not present due to health issues.

The Ministry of Finance (M.O.F.) and the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.) were invited officially as choirs for the service.

This year, the annual prayer service will conclude on Friday and will mark the 33rd year since the inception of the annual prayer and fasting service for the nation.