Churches to Unite in Prayer for Antigua and Barbuda Ahead of CHOGM

As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to take centre stage on the international stage, churches across the nation are being called to unite in prayer, seeking divine guidance and protection ahead of one of the country's most significant diplomatic gatherings.

Christian ministers and intercessors from various denominations are expected to assemble on Saturday, October 31, for a national prayer gathering under the theme “Building a Wall of Prayer Around Antigua and Barbuda.”

The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Methodist Conference in Scott’s Hill, bringing together members of the Christian community just hours before the country celebrates its 45th anniversary of independence and welcomes world leaders for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Organisers are encouraging churches to stand together in faith, praying for God's wisdom, peace, protection and purpose as the nation undertakes the responsibility of hosting the high-profile international summit.

According to the event notice, the gathering will centre on five critical areas considered essential to the country's successful hosting of the meeting.

Among the priorities will be prayers for the nation's security forces and personnel entrusted with maintaining public safety and protecting visiting dignitaries throughout the summit.

Special attention will also be given to the country's ports of entry, with intercessors seeking safe arrivals and departures, efficient operations and protection for passengers, airport and seaport workers, and visiting delegations.

The business community will also feature prominently in the evening's prayers, particularly the tourism and hospitality sectors, local enterprises and workers expected to play important roles during the international gathering.

Government leaders will be another major focus, with prayers directed towards wisdom, integrity, unity and sound judgement as they make decisions and represent the interests of Antigua and Barbuda.

The fifth area of prayer, described as “God's original design” for the nation, will focus on righteousness, peace, unity and the lasting legacy organisers hope will emerge from this historic period.

The gathering is expected to bring together representatives from several major Christian organisations, including the Antigua Christian Council, the Antigua and Barbuda Evangelical Alliance, the South Leeward Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Association of Independent Churches of Antigua and Barbuda, and Baptist fellowships and communities.

The initiative comes at a particularly symbolic moment for Antigua and Barbuda, with the nation preparing to commemorate 45 years of political independence on November 1 while simultaneously hosting Commonwealth leaders and delegations for the November 1–4 summit.

For the participating churches, Saturday's gathering will provide an opportunity to place the country's security, leadership, economic interests and future before God, while demonstrating unity across denominational lines at a defining moment in the nation's history.