LIHUE — No matter what faith they are, Kauai residents are invited to pause and pray Thursday.
“People lead busy lives. And yes, they have time for their own worship and faith communities, but how many times a year do you have opportunity to gather with other faith groups to celebrate life and the Creator?” said Jeffrey Pears, member of the Interfaith Roundtable.
Thursday is National Day of Prayer and two organizations on Kauai are planning to mark the day
“I think it’s important because it gives people an opportunity to come together and share their faith in a interfaith group setting freely without censorship, without criticizing others,” said Pears, committee chairman for planning IROC’s National Day of Prayer.
Dely Sasaki of Kauai Island Ministries said the nation needs prayer.
“We will be praying for government, media, business education, church and family,” she said.
On Thursday, IROC and Kauai Island Ministries will be celebrating National Day of Prayer at the Kauai Civic Center.
The first event, hosted by IROC, goes from 9 to 11 a.m.
“It gives everyone an opportunity to pray for the leaders of the nation, because they will guide the national into greater health and prosperity,” Pears said. “That’s what I believe people are yearning to do, especially with change of leadership, I believe prayer will be good.”
Representatives from religious groups on the island will be there — from Christian and Jewish faiths to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Baha’i, Buddhism, Quakers and Sikh, Pears said.
Kauai Island Ministries’ event begins at 11:30 a.m. and runs to 12:30 p.m. and is being coordinated by Pastor Lon Malapit, of Calvary Chapel Lihue.
“As the events of the world fall into place as prophesied in the Bible, let us come together as God’s people, to thank Him, to seek His will, and to intercede on behalf of our nation,” Sasaki said.
She said Kauai Island Ministries planned a separate event.
“We feel like Christians didn’t want to pray to Buddha,” she said.
A church from Niihau,Kahu Enoka Kaohelaulii of Ho`omanala Iesu Iubile Church of Ni‘ihau, will be leading the worship, she added.
Speakers include Pastor Allen Cardinez, of Nanaikapono Church, Pastor Steve Rex of Calvary Chapel North Shore, Pastor Matt Higa of New Hope Kauai, Mel Rapozo, council chair, and Lisa Poole, teacher at Olelo Christian Academy.
