HEAD of the New Testament Church, Bishop Herro Blair, yesterday said the church will be keeping “an eagle eye” on the conduct of politicians over the next few weeks starting tomorrow, Nomination Day.

“Let me say clearly that the church’s binoculars are on and they have zoom lens and they have night vision lens and I say come Nomination Day the church will be out and we need to know who will represent God and this country,” Blair told his congregation at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre on Waltham Park Road in Kingston yesterday.

Blair, who yesterday laid aside his cap as political ombudsman “to speak as pastor”, was also addressing over 30 candidates of both major political parties for the constituencies of Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine led by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, who were both accompanied by their spouses.

“We are going to listen to their speeches as of Tuesday; we are going to watch them as they walk as of Tuesday, we want them to be aware of the fact that there is a powerful force in this country called the Church and regardless of what anybody wants to say, she has not lost power,” the Bishop said to thunderous cheers and applause.

The bishop said the call by the Prime Minister for a weekend of prayer and islandwide church services attended by candidates which received the endorsement of the Opposition Leader must be applauded.

“I believe the very courts of heaven endorse this proclamation, the coming together of aspirants for leadership this weekend really sets the tone for a good three weeks of campaigning,” he said.

“Everytime they get up on the platform they will remember that they are their brother’s keepers, that they have a charge to keep and a responsibility for the healing of the nation. We don’t want anything to be figuratively done or symbolically done, it must be done from the heart,” the Bishop preached.

According to Blair, Jamaica has changed drastically since his childhood. He said while it was still a great nation, it needed to reaffirm its allegiance to God.

“A nation is as great as its allegiance to God. Jamaica cannot continue to flourish as a nation without our turning from our wicked ways and turning to God. Sadly, I believe Jamaica has become less and less a nation that recognises God as Lord and when I speak about God as Lord, I mean the almighty God,” he mourned.

Referring to the economic future of Jamaica, the Bishop said prosperity was ahead but on one condition.

“There is oil in Jamaica and that’s not a prophecy. I believe Jamaica will have oil at a time when we have leaders in our country that will equitably distribute the spoils,” Blair said.

He further warned the leaders of the dangers of pride and arrogance which he said ranked high on the list of things God dislikes.

Turning to church members an emotional Blair encouraged them to pray for and respect the leaders and their political offices.

“Whether you vote for them or not, as a Christian you are bound to respect them you have no choice,” he said.

“I know how we felt these past few weeks; I know how you will feel in the next few weeks but you are a Christian first and you are a Labourite or a Comrade second. If you don’t like the way our governing leaders are leading this country, vote. If you don’t like how they lead this country, change the course and if you don’t like how the Opposition is behaving don’t change no course,” Blair charged to much applause.

Ending his sermon on a hopeful and emotional note, the bishop said while the polarisation in the nation was drastic, there was still time for change.

The just over two hours long service concluded with the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader participating in a candle-lighting ceremony as a mark of unity and prayer for the candidates in attendance.