'Don't betray nation's trust'

The nation's leaders have been admonished to not take for granted the trust placed in them by Jamaica's citizens.

"As leaders, we must always remember that the people have given us their hands to hold," declared Governor General Sir Patrick Allen during yesterday's staging of the 32nd annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

"We should honour that confidence reposed in us, no matter how challenging and difficult the journey. Let them have the assurance that every little thing will be all right."

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and members of her Cabinet, as well as Opposition Leader Andrew Holness and members on that side of the legislature were among the capacity crowd of leaders from the Church, civil society and the business sector seeking divine guidance at the start of a new year in which Jamaica will celebrate the completion of its fifth decade of Independence.

NLPB Chairman the Reverend Dr Peter Garth made it known that "a virtuous leader blesses a nation and a violent leader burdens the nation".

Garth said: "We need as a nation to say 'no' to what is wrong, don't let go of what is right and watch God steal the show."

Need to work

He also urged Jamaicans to use their time wisely, noting that there was far too much idleness in the country.

"We need to get to work and to create in Jamaica a work ethic that is rooted in disciplined hard work," he stressed to loud applause.

Guest speaker the Reverend Dr Lenworth Anglin, convenor of the Umbrella Group of Churches and chairman of the Church of God in Jamaica, in speaking on the role of the Christian Church in a pluralistic society, said the Church needed to continue to provide the moral compass for the nation and participate in nation building.

"No nation can speak of greatness without observing, maintaining and practising basic values and attitudes," said Anglin.

In that regard, he emphasised that the Church would recommit to playing its role in rebuilding critical areas of national life, particularly education, training, health services, safety, protection, rebuilding of the economy, community renewal, and "as a nation we must restore the emphasis on positive family life".

Power in prayer

Speaking on the power of prayer, Anglin said a nation saturated in prayer would succeed and soar.

"What would Jamaica be without the praying saints? I would not want to imagine. There is wonderful power in prayer and as a nation, we will keep on praying and praying and praying. We will not stop praying because prayer is our life and our source," he passionately declared to a receptive audience.

Staged this year under the theme 'Jamaica 50: Reconcile, Rebuild, Rejoice', the annual NLPB was started 32 years ago to foster greater unity in the nation, particularly among the nation's leaders at all levels. Each year, the breakfast has identified a different project for which to raise funds. Since inception, it has raised more than $4 million and has assisted more than 20 worthy causes.

This year's project is the rebuilding of the Glenhope Place of Safety in St Andrew, which needs approximately $55 million to complete work on the facility that was badly damaged by fire in the latter part of last year.

CAPTION: Guest speaker the Reverend Dr Lenworth Anglin (left), convenor of the Umbrella Group of Churches and chairman of the Church of God in Jamaica, looks on as Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller speaks with Dr Wellesley Blair (second right), pastor of the Portmore New Testament Church of God, and Political Ombudsman Herro Blair during the 32nd annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast held yesterday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer