AUDIO: Symbolic prayer hosted amid Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic and recently announced lockdown has inspired a few residents of Taljaart Enclosure Meyersdal complex to host a symbolic biblical prayer.

The residents have committed to initiating a symbolic prayer of either blowing or playing a recorded sound of a shofar. The shofar is said to be a biblical instrument used to request God’s intervention for healing.

They have managed to get other Meyersdal residents and surrounding areas to join in on playing the shofar, which is accompanied by prayer.

According to Tina Dos Santos, one of the organisers, this is aimed at praying for the country and many other communities during lockdown.

“The blowing of the shofar followed by prayer is a request to God who lives in the spiritual realm to intervene with the army of heaven. This represents our faith that God will hear our cries and intervene. I personally feel that this is a war that God can only get us through,” said Dos Santos.

She said they stand in prayer for the sick, doctors and nurses, shop owners and anyone who may be adversely affected during this time.

She told the RECORD that the shofar has brought people and families closer together.

“Family time is now being spent with parents and their children, where before, parents were too busy and too tired from work. This is a time of reflection and cleansing for the world. We as a community are trying to see the light in the midst of the chaos that every single person is experiencing worldwide,” she said.

Initially, she said as residents they were in talks of applauding National Health Services (NHS) every night at 7pm and on how they could join in as a community.

They then resorted to getting the community involved in their symbolic shofar prayer.

United in prayer

She said one of the complex residents, Grant Hassett and his daughter Angelique, mentioned they would use their shofar and blow it during the one minute.

“I then sent out a video clip of the shofar being played and made them see what it was and the true Biblical meaning of it. I showed them how relevant it was during this time of prayer for our families, communities, the country and the world,” said Dos Santos.

Chareen Mota, also a resident at the complex, took the lead and played out the shofar music clip on day two of the 21 days lockdown.

Dos Santos suggested that each household could say a prayer before or after this has been played, then make noise with whatever they are comfortable with.

After hearing the shofar being played, others in the community would be heard whistling, blissfully cheering, with the sound of Vuvuzelas in the background.

Meaning of the shofar

During the time when the shofar is being played, communities gather in harmony in what is reported to being a moving moment.

“Hearing the sound of the shofar being played brings tears and I’m sure to many who hear it as well. It’s tears of joy and thanks giving during this time.

“Our vision as a community is to make people join the cause, play the shofar at 7pm. We hope to hear this beautiful sound being played across our nation while this time of healing takes place,” she said.

Dos Santos said this initiative has reached people as far as Fishhoek, Pretoria and in the United Kingdom (UK). She also appealed to the community to take part and help spread the word.

LISTEN: The biblical shofar sound clip playing

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