Jamaicans in the Diaspora in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States are being invited to church on Monday, August 2, 2010, to pray for the nation of Jamaica, its citizens and its leaders. The event has received the full support of the leaders of Jamaica, including the Governor General and the New York the Consul General of Jamaica, Mrs. Geneive Brown Metzger.

Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen, in his statement, commended members of the clergy and Intercessory Prayer Ministry International (IPMI) for the bold step they took to host this initiative in the Diaspora, “which seeks to help mitigate conditions, and lead us to the source of Divine Providence. Appeals, petitions, entreaties between people are elements in controlling the affairs of nations, but prayer moves heaven.”

In light of recent events in Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen further stated that “this initiative is …timely…continue praying for the weak and vulnerable, and for the peace and prosperity of Jamaica.”

Consul General Geneive Brown Metzger stated that the Jamaican Consulate is pleased to be collaborating with the Intercessory Prayer Ministry International (IPMI) and the group of concerned clergy from the Jamaican Diaspora, to stage the special Day of Prayer and Fasting for Jamaica. According to Mrs. Metzger, “These are indeed very challenging times for our nation as we continue to grapple with the diverse and critical issues for which we must seek Divine intervention. It is therefore heartening to know that IPMI continues to lead the way in mobilizing the Jamaican Diaspora in this fashion. Prayer… must be the arsenal in our war against crime, economic adversity and social decay.”

This group of concerned clergymen includes Rev. Dr. Samuel Vassel (Bronx Bethany Church of th Nazarene); Rev. Dr. A.G. Quarrie (Bronxwood Int’l Church of God); Rev. Dr. H. Dennis Campbell (Rehoboth Open Bible); Rev. Andrew Bennett (Elim Missionary, NJ); Rev. Dr. Wenton Fyne (Beulah Church of the Nazarene, Brooklyn, NY) and renowned Jamaican Evangelical leader, Rev. Dr. Joel Edwards, former General Director of the United Kingdom Evangelical Alliance.

A number of places of worship in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom will open their sanctuaries throughout the day for, “those persons concerned about the growing moral declension on the island of Jamaica”, declared Rev. Newton Gabbidon, the Central Planning Committee Chairman and Founder/President of IPMI, Inc., a not-for-profit, non–denominational organization based in Brooklyn.

This is the sixth year that the Jamaica Diaspora Day of Prayer and Fasting is being held throughout the Jamaica Diaspora. Last year, 25 centers participated.

The all day prayer and fasting will conclude with a special service at each of the venues, starting at 7:30 pm. There will be a special offering taken to benefit charities in Jamaica.