GOVERNOR General Sir Patrick Allen on Wednesday made an impassioned plea for persons to participate in this year’s national prayer vigil which will be held at the St Ann’s Bay Baptist Church, St Ann, on December 13 under the theme ‘Prayer for Justice, Unity, Peace and Healing’.

The three-hour vigil will begin at 6:00 pm and will be hosted by the St Ann’s Bay Ministers’ Fraternal under the patronage of the governor general. It will take the form of prayer, praise and worship and will also include messages and dramatic presentations.

“The National Prayer Vigil is a very important activity in Jamaica and all should give maximum support; and it’s for this reason I choose to participate and give my support,” Sir Patrick said at a press briefing at King’s House on Wednesday.

“When the city of Nineveh was earmarked for destruction, all its citizens submitted themselves to prayer and their city was spared,” he emphasised.

In the meantime, Reverend Monroe Wisdom, chairman of the St Ann’s Bay Ministers’ Fraternal, said the social project linked to this year’s event will target the purchasing of a Haematology Analysis Machine — valued at more than $2 million — for the Princess Margaret Hospital in St Thomas.

As such, the Fraternal is asking for monetary donations towards the project.

“Persons who wish to make monetary contributions can do so with either cheque or cash to the St Ann’s Bay New Testament Church of God… a special offering will be taken at the vigil,” Wisdom said.

He said the group is also hoping to donate items, including an industrial washing machine, to the St Ann’s Bay Infirmary.

Last year, a refrigerator and a radiation machine were donated to the Kingston Public Hospital.