PHOTO: Bishop Kortu Brown, former President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC)
BREWERVILLE, Liberia– A powerful message of national reflection, spiritual renewal, and collective responsibility echoed through the historic Old Providence Baptist Church as Liberia hosted its 143rd National Fast and Prayer Service recently.
Held last Friday, April 10, 2026, the service took place under the theme “Heal Our Land, Lord.”
Liberia, Africa’s first independent Black African Republic peacefully ended 14 years of brutal civil war back in 2003 and has since then been making efforts to forge national healing, reconciliation and unity.
Organized under the auspices of the Liberia Council of Churches in collaboration with the Body of Christ in Liberia, the solemn gathering last Friday drew worshippers, clergy, and national leaders seeking divine intervention for the country. The spiritual highlight of the event was an exhortation delivered by Bishop Kortu K. Brown, former President of the Council, who challenged Liberians to confront their moral and spiritual shortcomings.
Grounded in the biblical text of 2 Chronicles 7:14, Bishop Brown reminded the congregation that God has already provided a pathway to national healing. Quoting the scripture, he declared: “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land.”
Reflecting deeply on the message, Bishop Brown questioned whether Liberians are truly willing to meet the conditions outlined in the scripture. “It’s not that we don’t pray. It’s not that we don’t desire revival or restoration,” he said. “But the real question is can we turn from our wicked ways? Can we truly humble ourselves?”
The Bishop emphasized that Liberia’s foundation is rooted in faith, noting that from its inception, the nation has relied on divine guidance. However, he warned that modern day attitudes, both within the church and society, pose a challenge to genuine humility. “We live in a different time,” he said. “People no longer easily accept correction, and even within the church, humility is becoming harder to practice.”
He further stressed the power of prayer as a transformative force, echoing a well known principle: “When man works, man works but when man prays, God works.” According to him, prayer must go beyond ritual and become a sincere expression of dependence on God for national direction and healing.
A significant portion of Bishop Brown’s message focused on the “desires of the heart,” which he described as central to understanding Liberia’s social tensions. He highlighted key human desires such as the need to be heard, affirmed, blessed, and included. He pointed out that the lack of inclusion remains a major source of conflict in Liberia.
“Part of the reason we experience strife and contention in our country is because people feel excluded,” Bishop Brown noted. “Every human being has the natural desire to be included, and when that is denied, it creates division.”
He urged leaders, institutions, and citizens to foster a spirit of inclusiveness and unity, emphasizing that national healing cannot occur without addressing these underlying social fractures. According to him, true repentance must reflect not only in personal conduct but also in how Liberians treat one another.
The 143rd National Fast and Prayer Service served as a moment of collective introspection, calling on Liberians across all sectors, including government officials, professionals, and ordinary citizens, to recommit themselves to faith, humility, and national unity.
As prayers filled the sanctuary and voices lifted in worship, the message was clear: Liberia’s healing, as Bishop Brown emphasized, lies not only in prayer but in a genuine willingness to change.
“God has given us the formula,” he concluded. “The question is are we ready to follow.”