The Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches (JUGC) head, Dr. Elaine McCarthy, praised the hundreds of people who attended the resumption of the yearly mass prayer gathering in Half-Way Tree Square on Sunday to pray for the country’s political leaders.
McCarthy referred to the church leaders, followers, and supporters that congregated in the plaza from Corporate Area communities and other parishes around the island, despite the danger of rain, as “watchmen” during the event, which had the theme “Jamaica Pray.”
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She noted, “As we take our positions as watchmen for our nation, let us hold up our leaders perpetually before God in prayer so that He will be able to do mighty works through them.”
In support of the proposal of their religious leaders, worshipers raised their voices in prayer for four hours, transforming the capital into a hallowed space.
For many meters, traffic on the typically busy street was stopped. Alongside the famous clock at Half-Way Tree, an altar was erected.
McCarthy said in response to the National Anthem’s lyrics that the churches desire God to embrace Jamaica in a way that has never been possible so that all difficulties and problems will be “leveled at the foot of the Cross.”
She praised her fellow Jamaicans and joined them in prayer, calling it a tool “that we use when we need to touch Heaven,” and expressed her happiness to be there.
“We want quietness and we want peace. Bless the Lord!” she exclaimed while quoting 1 Timothy 2:1-2 as the justification for the JUGC’s decision to reinstate the yearly prayer rally as a Jamaican church calendar event.
Bishop Dr. Rowan Edwards offered one of the most moving prayers of the evening, expressing his hope to see Prime Minister Andrew Holness evangelizing as a Christian.
“Lord Almighty, as we lay hands on each other’s shoulders, let Prime Minister Andrew Holness start preaching the gospel!” Bishop Edward expressed.
He remarked, “The sight that will be if Andrew Holness stands up on a stage and preach ‘for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish’! What a sight! And then save the leader of the Opposition, too, and make him make an altar call! Mighty God, what a sight that would be! Jamaica needs righteous leaders who will preach the gospel of Jesus Christ!.”
In support of the prayer rally, he quoted 1 Timothy 2:1-2, which instructs us that “… supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be given for kings and all in authority”.
“As we lift up this man, the Right Honorable Andrew Holness, before God, I love both Mr. Mark Golding and the prime minister of Jamaica. I love both leaders, but I’ve been asked to pray for the prime minister, and that’s what I’ll do,” Edwards noted.
He prayed for the prime minister’s wife Juliet Holness and their sons as well.
The bishop said that men are being sent out as butchers to slit people’s throats as if they were pigs or cows, that youngsters are being handed guard rings, and that 7,000 satellites are feeding Jamaica with demonic energies.
The Portmore Holiness Christian Church provided live streaming of Jamaica Pray on YouTube.
