Prayer vigil at Ballito hospital uplifts frontline workers

Dozens of families gathered in the Netcare Alberlito Hospital parking lot on Sunday afternoon to pray for doctors, nurses, paramedics and patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The initiative, organised with permission from hospital management, was started by pastor Andrew Anderson and the Lig en Lewe AFM congregation on Friday, July 26 and continues every Sunday at 2pm.

Anderson said their aim was to unite the community against the virus, pray for the healing of all patients and pray for the staff of the hospital on the battleground during this pandemic.

“The prayer vigil is a time for people in the community to know we are all in this together even though we are separated.”

Attendees said they hoped the weekly Sunday afternoon prayers would continue for the duration of the pandemic.

Participants remain next to their vehicles and distant from other family groups.

Ballito resident Blessing Zungu said the prayer vigil was all about unity and represented the country’s rainbow nation.

“It was amazing to be part of this vigil, praying for our essential workers, and what especially moved me was the prayers were conducted in English, Afrikaans and Zulu.”

Ballito resident Bridget Roux said the collective power of prayer could clearly be felt at Sunday’s vigil.

“It was moving to see the community united in prayer. We need this unity during these difficult times when so much is uncertain.”

Many hospital staff watched and waved from windows. Others joined the group in the parking lot.

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