Theme: “Keep Hope Alive”

Good morning.

Our theme for the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast 2021 implies the question, “Why do we need to keep hope alive?”

Hope is the strong belief and faith that our circumstances will improve and we will persevere.  Hope is being confident.  The Apostle Paul reminds us that: ‘Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will see it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

We can take hope and comfort in these words that we will never be left alone. We may be under attack, but it will not last forever. Ultimately we will be victorious!

Nevertheless, in these perilous times we take the necessary precautions, observe the protocols, and use the available tools to survive COVID-19, preserve the economy, and our social systems.

It is ironic that out of ‘evil’ comes forth ‘good.’  The pandemic has allowed us to explore new opportunities and creative ways to manage various aspects of our lives.  We now use technology for education, worship, shopping, to conduct meetings, entertainment, and other activities.

After nine months of pandemic restrictions, many of us are fatigued and weary, but I encourage you “not to be weary and faint, so that you can enjoy the benefits of perseverance.”

Today, we pray for our leaders across Jamaica that despite the pressures they face, they will get the support and the fortitude they need to carry out their responsibilities.

The I Believe Initiative, with which many of you are familiar, has an imperative that says, ‘We must all be peddlers of hope.’ Therefore:

  • We Hope that this pandemic will pass and, we will get a period of respite.
  • We Hope that we will control the monster of crime, violence, and lawlessness.
  • We Hope that we can re-instill good values in our children, and there will be peace in every community.
  • We Hope that one day soon, we will experience the ‘righteousness which exalts a nation.’ And,
  • We Hope that there is still power in prayer.

As the Revd. Jesse Jackson said, and I quote, “Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it.  It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes.  Keep hope alive” unquote.

As Patron of this Annual National Leadership Prayer Breakfast, I must recognize the role of the Church Community, the Government, and all Agencies of the State, the Private Sector, the Voluntary Sector, and individual citizens who support this initiative.

I commend the leadership of the Planning Committee for their dedication and commitment in organizing this event for the past 40 years. Thanks to our main sponsor, and everyone who donate to the education and welfare projects sponsored by the NLPB.

My fellow Jamaicans, hope gives us a reason to live.  As we seek to renew and refresh ourselves in this New Year, “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

God bless us all as we seek to do His will, in “Jamaica, land we love.”