On a Friday in late April, Suriname President Jennifer Simons delivered a keynote address to attendees at a national prayer conference held at the Anthony Nesty Sports Hall, where she emphasized that faith-driven values of prayer and neighborly love are critical to guiding the South American nation through its current period of difficulty. According to official communications from the Communication Service Suriname (CDS), Simons used the platform to urge collective reflection across the country, framing unified prayer as a foundational step to confront the interconnected challenges Suriname faces today. The head of state opened her remarks by expressing sincere gratitude to Christian organizations and bishops, who organized the gathering to dedicate the nation’s future to spiritual guidance.
Simons stressed that the difficulties currently facing Suriname extend far beyond just economic strain, touching on societal rifts that require shared accountability from both the government and the general public. She called for humility across all sectors, acknowledging openly that mistakes have been made by people across the nation, regardless of their position or influence. Moving beyond reflection, the president called on all Surinamese citizens to deepen their commitment to supporting one another and advancing the national good, placing neighborly love at the center of any meaningful progress. Citing core religious teachings, she noted that loving one’s neighbor as oneself and placing faith above all other priorities would reshape not just Suriname, but the entire world for the better, adding that regular prayer provides the moral strength needed to live out these values in daily life.
A key takeaway from Simons’ address was her rejection of passive faith, emphasizing that prayer must always go hand in hand with tangible, consistent action. “We must pray, but we must also work every day to build the future we want for Suriname and for ourselves,” she told the gathered faithful. The event, which drew attendees from faith communities across the country, reflects a growing push for spiritual and collective engagement as the nation works to navigate ongoing social and economic headwinds.