The East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in collaboration with the Jamaica Union Conference staged their annual Day of Prayer for the Nation on August 6 under the theme, “ Hope for the Nation’s Families.”
The service coincided on the day Jamaica celebrated its 60th year as an independent country and saw participation from representatives of both major political parties in the country.
Members of Parliament bow their heads in prayer during the special Prayer for the Nation service at the Andrews Memorial SDA Church. ( L- R) Mr. Donovan Williams, M.P. Central Kingston, Mr. Robert Miller, M.P. St. Catherine South Eastern and Mr. Julian Robinson, M.P. for St. Andrew South Eastern. :: Photo credit: Phillip Castell
The church service was held at the Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church were special prayers were offered for the healing of the nation, the nations leaders and for deliverance for crime producers who continue to shed innocent blood and wreak havoc on the lives of innocent people.
Pastor Meric Walker, President, East Jamaica Conference speaks during special Day of Prayer for the Nation at the Andrews Memorial SDA Church on August 6, 2022. :: Photo credit: Phillip Castell
In his sermon to the those gathered in church and online, Pastor Meric Walker, President, East Jamaica Conference used Psalm 20 to anchor his message which called for unity if we are to succeed as a people.
“It must not be that few of our citizens can wreak havoc on the nation while almost three million can’t make a greater impact. There is to be a stronger will that we will not back off and we will not fail in our responsibilities but together we have to do better. We must stand up for what is right Jamaica.”
Pastor Anthony Baugh, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Director raises his hand to heaven as he intercedes for crime producers on August 6, 2022. :: Photo credit: Phillip Castell
Throughout the morning’s service, the scourge of crime and violence weighted heavily on the lips of those who petitioned heaven during the various prayer segments. The nation’s leaders were prayed for by Pastor Manley Phillips, Prayer Ministries & Spirit of Prophecy Coordinator, EJC while Pastor Anthony Baugh, Sabbath School & Personal Ministries Director offered the prayer of intercession for crime producers in in the country.
“O Lord, our young men have been made slaves to evil, they celebrate evil, they sing about evil and they dance to evil,” Baugh lamented during his prayer. “Evil has taken over the minds of many in this land and the devil is having a field day, he devil is rejoicing because of the evil that has overtaken our nation.”
Baugh was specific in his request for a solution from the Lord Jesus himself and asked for deliverance for the crime producers from the hand of the enemy. “I come today in the name of Jesus asking you to deliver this nation, deliver the crime producers, deliver those who find enjoyment in taking lives. Deliver those who enjoy killing babies, killing children, killing women . In the name of Jesus we come asking for deliverance. Governments can’t do it, the police force cant do it, soldiers cant do it , laws can’t do it, only you Jesus can do it.”
Five year old Linnea Salmon from the Kingsway Kindergarten Prep. School praying for children during Prayer for the Nation on August 6, 2022 at the Andrews Memorial SDA Church. :: Photo credit: Phillip Castell
The children were not left out of the service and were included in the lineup to pray for the nation. Five year old Linnea Salmon from the Kingsway Kindergarten Prep. School in simplicity and sincerity asked the Lord to “touch the hearts of the gunmen” and make them “put down the guns and accept you as their saviour.”
Eleven year old Ajani Campbel from th Rollington Town SDA Church prayed for children who had sent up their prayer requests in a box. “Wherever our children are, let them influence each other in a positive way. Be with the children wherever they are because we live in a sin sick world, a world where children are being separated from their loved ones, where children are being abused and children are being killed.”
The message from the Governor General, His Excellency The Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen,was read by Hon. Steadman Fuller, Custos Rotulorum of Kingston. In his message, Sir Patrick Allen acknowledged that there is “evidence of a direct correlation between incidences of crime and violence and high levels of social decline in our nation.” The Governor General also posited that “The breakdown of the family is one of the main contributors to the corruption and problems we face and have in our nation today” and reiterated that the family is pivotal in instilling discipline, integrity, morality, tolerance, spiritual and social values.
The service was attended by Members of Parliament, Mr. Donovan Williams, Mr. Robert Miller and Mr. Julian Robinson and Senator Floyd Morris Representing the Leader of the Opposition. Dr. Oswald Baker, Representing the National Prayer Vigil read the first scripture which was taken from Psalm 42: 1 - 5.