THE EDITOR, Madam:
AS WE express sincere condolences to the families of Constable Delroy Brown and his girlfriend, Ms. Reid (Gleaner Online September 3), we also ask ourselves what next must be done to help stem the tidal wave of murders in our small island home.
There are many steps that can and must be taken to solve this problem. The Prime Minister's recent special unit initiative is one. I am suggesting another. I believe it is high time for all Christian people in Jamaica and who have Jamaica's welfare at heart to declare a period of fasting and prayer specifically to ask God to stop the murders in Jamaica, land we love. The basis for this time of fasting and prayer should be the Biblical promise found in II Chronicles 7:14 which says: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land."
This promise has been made good to Israel since given in the days of King Solomon. It has also been made good to Christians several times last century and should be grasped by Jamaicans at this extremely serious time in our nation's history.
Urgent times call for urgent measures. Fasting and prayer is one such emergency measure. God is in control of history, Madam Editor, and he knows what will happen if current murder trends continue in Jamaica. But the Bible teaches that God can and will change history if people will turn to him, as the Ninevites did after the preaching of Jonah.
It should be a complete fast for all those who are healthy enough to fast, and those not well enough could do a partial fast or give up something sacrificially in lieu of going without meals for at least 24 hours. In fact, some ardent Christians who know the power of fasting and prayer should undertake a 40-day fast, emulating Jesus, or resolve to fast until this murder madness stops, like the Mahatma Gandhi did.
Madam Editor, everyone from Kings House, Jamaica House, Gordon House, to every household in Jamaica must now look to God in fasting and prayer specifically to stop this season of murders in our beloved country.
I am etc.,
Rev. MERVIN STODDART
E-mail: INMerv@aol.com
Altamonte Springs, FL
Via Go-Jamaica
