Joseph Cunningham, Gleaner Writer
Rev. Dr. Roy Henry (right), chairman of the National Prayer Vigil Committee, listens to Rev. Wilmer Jackson, public relations officer of the committee, during yesterday's media briefing on the National Prayer Vigil at King's House, St. Andrew. - Norman Grindley /Deputy Chief Photographer
JUSTICE,
UNITY, peace and healing was the theme unveiled for this year's National Prayer
Vigil to be held on Sunday, December 10 at King's House, St. Andrew.
Conceptualised from concerns about the spiralling crime rate in the early 1990s, brainchild of the vigil, Dicky Crawford, said he approached Sir Howard Cooke, then the Governor-General, about staging a national event to worship Christ for preservation throughout the ending year, and to go into the New Year with a spiritual consciousness. The event became a formal one through a proclamation by Sir Howard in 1991.
At a media briefing hosted by the National Prayer Vigil Committee at King's House yesterday, Dr. Roy Henry, chairman of the committee said: "We are taking an ecumenical approach. All church bodies have been invited to participate."
He also announced that the Jewish community would preside over the reading of one of the lessons.
The day's proceedings will begin with praise and worship at 8:30 p.m. after which, he said Jamaica would be called to prayer from 9:00 p.m. through to midnight.
Meditation
"Even if a person is not physically at King's House, he or she is expected be in meditation," Dr. Henry added.
Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall and his wife, Rheima Holding Hall, the Prime Minister and other Members of Parliament, the diplomatic corps and the Jamaica Constabulary Force are expected to lead proceedings alongside the National Prayer Vigil Committee, which comprises church leaders. A vigil budget of $400,000 is being utilised to accommodate an
estimated population of between 3,000-5,000 persons.