(Being an adaptation of a prayer offered by the African American, George Lawrence, in New York, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the abolition of slave trade in 1808.)
By Chudi Okoye
O! thou father of the universe and disposer of events, thou that inspired Awka Times from the dark and formless mass of despair pervading our homeland, Awka
And anointed thy sons and daughters here in this editorial team to take up the task of reporting and repairing our town, basking in the golden streams and rivulets of thy wisdom as we do so
We have convened under thy divine auspices as pioneer members of Awka Times editorial team preparing to launch the magazine
We have gathered not to indulge some overweening career ambition or profit motivation, or to celebrate the partisan disposition of arms by which the fate of Awka people continues to be wasted, thus contaminating the elegant fields of our fatherland with desperate desolation
Rather we gather to seek ways to bring forth the light of thy wise counsel, to stay the hands of the merciless powers and profiteering factions stirring up division in Awka
Thou have guided our deliberations and exertions thus far with thy tender hands, leaving our hearts expanded with gratitude for thy providences
Yet, dear Lord, inundated in the sea of thy mercies we further crave thy fostering care for the days ahead leading up to and beyond the launch of our magazine
O! wilt thou crush that power that may stand in our way, that will impede the dissemination of truth by Awka Times, or such that still seeks to hold our brethren in the bondage of partisanship and ignorance
Dear Lord, let the gentle breeze of thy blessing wash over the affairs of Awka Times Magazine, and let the light of thy wisdom illuminate our paths
Let Liberty, O Lord, unfurl her banners; and let freedom, justice and prosperity reign triumphant in Awka, if thou wilt wish it, dear Lord, from the labors of this overburdened team and its overtasked leaders.
Amen.
