“Prayer does not need a passport because God is omnipresent. He’s here and in Jamaica!” said Jaimie Patterson, a minster with The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas.

Patterson, along with over a dozen ministers, participated in the DFW Prayer Rally for Jamaica held at God’s Holy Temple Church in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.

The “Changing a Country’s Perspective through Prayer” initiative was spearheaded by Nigel and Esther Reynolds, founders of the Beth-Hanan Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides local and international communities with training, support and encouragement.   Mr. Reynolds, who is Jamaican, has a special compassion for the Caribbean island that comprises over 2.8 million people. 

Reynolds likened Jamaica’s plight to that of Jerusalem in the Old Testament of the Bible. “Nehemiah was sensitive to the distress of a nation. The gates were burned, the walls broken down. He had to come to a place of prayer and humility to intercede,” he said.

Reynolds’ concern for Jamaica’s welfare is well-founded. In January, Jamaica’s unemployment rate hit 11.1 percent and by the end of March the internal national debt was at 7.36 billion.  Economic conditions are further hampered by rampant crime on the island. The increasing crime rate, authorities believe, is fueled primarily by three factors: the number of deportees, gangs and drugs, all of which are connected, and thus, have had a devastating effect on Jamaica’s social and economic outlook. 

For over ten years there has been growing concern about the number of criminal deportees being sent to Jamaica. Police believe the majority of murders are linked to these deportees, which number in the thousands. 

In 2003, an Associated Press (AP) investigation revealed that massive deportations to the Caribbean Islands had set off “crime waves that were overwhelming the efforts of local law enforcement officials in some countries, including Jamaica,” according to the Jamaica Gleaner.

In the same report, the Gleaner said Jamaican police identified many of the deportees as gang members who were heavily involved in the trafficking of cocaine and marijuana to buy or trade for very expensive weapons. 

Today, it is evident that little has changed since the AP report was issued. As stress, fear and tension continues to grip the hearts of citizen across the island, July statistics show that major crimes rose 35 percent to 1,069 compared to 789 last year.  

In frustration, Dr. Horace Chang, Minister for Water and Housing, reflecting on the violence in Montego Bay, said in a 2006 interview with the Jamaica Gleaner, “We literally have a killing field surrounding Montego Bay and we can’t allow things to continue like this. We have got to find ways to put an end to this problem.”

Those of Jamaican and non-Jamaican descent at the Prayer Rally believe they have found a way. 

“If God can hang the stars and keep the earth spinning, surely, He can take care of Jamaica,” said Shawn Johnson, Senior Pastor of God’s Holy Temple Church.

Patterson, who prayed for the health and education system of Jamaica, agreed. 

“There is enough prayer in this place to see breakthrough in Jamaica. When the people of God can get together and pray, you can expect change, deliverance and power,” Patterson said.

With resolute faith, over 40 believers, including ministers representing at least 11 different churches, prayed for Jamaica’s repentance, marriages and families, leadership, economy, natural resources, safety, and the spiritual awakening and revival of its churches.

God’s response to the petitions made prior to and during the three-hour event came in a prophetic word that was shared by Terrance Hollins, psalmist and worship leader for the prayer rally. 

“Your time has come, Jamaica. I’m opening you up in a new way. I’m causing the things that have caused you pain to be released from your borders.   And I’m causing those within the borders to wail and cry out.  

“Prosperity will be released in new ways. I’m causing you to be expanded from left to right. I’m causing a shifting in leadership. I’m cleaning and emptying out decaying things. Now, I’m causing new fruit to grow. New, precious fruit and resources are being raised up.

“As people cry out to me, I will hear them. I will settle the grievances. I will stop the mouth and stay the hand of the enemy.

“I will release My plans and purposes. For I have set Jamaica in a strategic place to minister to the places around it. I’m releasing those to go and lend strength and to cause the fruit to be strengthened and barrenness to be removed from the land. As you praise, prophesy and proclaim, you will see mercy and restoration released in the land.”

Inspired by the response from heaven, Reynolds encouraged everyone to speak blessings over Jamaica daily and to proclaim what God is doing in the country. 

“And when you go back to visit,” Reynolds said, “you will see change taking place because you have prayed ─ just like Nehemiah prayed!”

written by Montina Hollins