Church leaders who participated in yesterday's National Day of Prayer have given their support to the Prime Minister's crime-fighting initiative and have called on national leaders to be steadfast and resolute in their approach to addressing lawlessness in the country.

The National Day of Prayer was held at the Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church on Hope Road in Kingston and was attended by religious leaders from across the island who joined in fellowship, despite their affiliation, to pray and to wage a spiritual battle against the problems that continue to plague the island.

Pastor Patrick Allen, president of the Adventist Church in the West Indies, addresses the large congregation that included Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller at yesterday's National Day of Prayer Service at the Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kingston. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and other government officials attended the service.
The church leaders, in their charge, called upon political leaders, government officials and dignitaries to look to God for the wisdom and answers to address the issues.

Pastor Patrick Allen, president of the Adventist Church in the West Indies, told the large congregation that the country was bleeding from the pandemic of crime.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer after the service, Pastor Allen said that he, along with other leaders in the congregation, gave their full support to the prime minister's latest anti-crime initiative and said that it was necessary to bring back stability to the country.

Pastor Allen's support came a day after the country was rocked by the news of the rape and brutal slaying of 15-year-old Sherika Gordon in Trelawny and the slaying of an 11-year-old boy, Desmond Francis, in Central Village, St Catherine.

Sherika's nude body was found with multiple stab wounds by her mother at approximately 8:30 Friday morning in the Trelawny district of Bounty Hall.

In a separate incident, 11-year-old Desmond was shot dead by a gunman, while at his home. The cases are just two of the most recent incidents that continue to highlight the heartlessness of criminals in the country and the problems with which law officials have been battling.

Two weeks ago, Golding announced proposed new legislative measures to reduce crime, including a minimum 10-year sentence for gun crimes. Other initiatives announced by the prime minister included extended detention of criminal suspects for up to 72 hours, under certain conditions; denial of bail for persons charged with serious crimes for up to 60 days; and provisions for a majority of nine jurors out of 12 to decide on non-capital murders.

The measures have received mixed responses, with support coming from the private sector and the church, while human rights groups and lawyers have raised concerns about some provisions.
Yesterday Pastor Allen said, "The devil has placed this country under siege, but despite this, I just want to say that we are placing this nation before God.

"At a time when the country is celebrating its anniversary of Independence, it is sad situation, what we are hearing about on our streets and in our communities, and it is in light of this why I am calling on the leaders to remain steadfast and resolute, but also humble in their duties, as they continue to look to the Lord for guidance," Pastor Allen said.

Earlier during the service, Prime Minister Golding read Isaiah 58: 1-8 which read: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."

A special collection was also taken from the congregation to help build houses for the indigent.

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