THE Standing Orders Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives are now asking religious organisations, as well as members of the wider public, to submit suggestions for a new Parliamentary prayer.

The request comes more than a year after the new prayer was expected to be in place, in time for last August’s 40th Independence celebrations.

Members of both Houses have argued, in the past, that the existing prayer is outdated; while some clergy members have suggested that changes should be made to accommodate specific dates in the country’s life, issues of gender, senior citizens, family and the young people. Anglican Priest Ernle Gordon, who last year appeared before Parliament’s Standing Orders Committee, then proposed the production of a book containing “contextual prayers” focusing on different aspects of national life such as national security, health and education.

The stipulations for the submissions now being invited, after these first round of discussions, have addressed some of the issues that were then raised, while discounting others. The new prayer, the Committee said this week, should:

* be contemporary;

* include an acknowledgment of God;

* recognise the sovereignty of the people and exclude references to offices and officers;

* be universal and inspirational while offering solace or peacefulness.

The deadline for submissions is October 6, 2003, and they should be sent to Clerk to the Houses of Parliament, 81 Duke Street, Kingston.

Following is the text of the existing prayer:

“Almighty God by whom alone Kings reign and Princes decree justice, and from whom alone cometh all counsel, wisdom and understanding, we Thine unworthy servants here gathered in Thy name do most humbly beseech Thee to send down Thy Heavenly Wisdom from above, to direct and guide us in all our consultations.

And grant that, we having Thy fear always before our eyes, and laying aside all private interest, prejudices and partial affections, the result of all our counsels may be to the glory of Thy Blessed Name, the maintenance of true Religion and justice, the safety, honour and happiness of the Queen, the public weal, peace and tranquillity of the Island and the uniting and knitting together of the hearts of all persons and estates within the same, in true Christian Love and Charity, one towards another, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, AMEN.”