The Editor, Sir:

Please grant me the opportunity to express my deep concern for what I consider the recent misrepresentation of prophetic ministry in Jamaica. This mis-representation has resulted in the prophetic ministry now being manifested as political fortune-telling, which is now being dangled around the nation as a political football by political parties and as a glorified form of soothsaying which caters for powerful business persons.

As far as I can see, many of the present forms of prophetic ministry, which have been recently highlighted in the Jamaican media, do not have the slightest resemblance to the righteous forms of biblical prophetic ministry, which is much more than mere predictions.

The present representation has now descended to a level which can only be described as self-serving, manipulative, scandalous and ridiculously sad.

To date, there have been no 'high-profile prophecies', like those found in the Holy Scriptures, which have effectively served to confront politicians and to expose political corruption, speak out against oppression of the poor, abuse of authority, misuse of public forms, unfair business practices, police brutality, sin in the church, etc.

Scandal after scandal has been afflicting the nation over the last decade or so. Bloodshed is afflicting the land and the lives of many innocent Jamaicans continue to be snuffed out for nothing at all. Someone must be held accountable.

Many of the social systems which should be serving the people are oppressive and disappointing, to say the least. To date, none of these issues has been exposed and confronted by the prophets in any real and effective way, just like how we see it in the Scriptures. When these things are not confronted by prophets, then who really cares about who will be the next Prime Minister of Jamaica or who will win the next election?

For crying out loud, at least half the population of Jamaica is not involved in the political process because the people have been consistently let down by systems and political administrations which have not catered for their basic needs.

May I remind these prophets of how God dealt with the Old Testament prophet Balaam, who deliberately prostituted his prophetic gift and sucked up to politicians because of his lust for money. Of course, all of his predictions came to pass, but in the end, God commanded the children of Israel to execute him because of his corrupted motives and abuse of his prophetic office. May the true prophets arise and be heard in Jamaica!

I am, etc.,

WESLEY BOYNES

wesley.boynes@kcnetwork.org

Northgate Centre for Global Impact

Ocho Rios, St. Ann