Dear Editor,

There is no rallying cry isolated from submission to God that will not be defeated. Patriotism, in particular, without God-given limits can turn ugly. It is ironic that Michael Dingwall, in a recent letter to the editor, should refer to the Soviet Union’s anthem as one we should follow. The human rights record of the Soviet Union stands as a warning to us, should we decide to forget God. Many other nations include God in their patriotism. Our national anthem submits it to God. I can think of nothing better, when the opposite approach, excising God, has yielded such glaringly unsatisfactory results. And when the majority of Jamaicans believe in God and the power of prayer, and our proof remains the testimonies of those who suffer and know that God is real, our anthem prayer is patriotic because it rallies us around what is common to us.

There is no rallying cry isolated from submission to God that will not be defeated. Patriotism, in particular, without God-given limits can turn ugly. It is ironic that Michael Dingwall, in a recent letter to the editor, should refer to the Soviet Union’s anthem as one we should follow. The human rights record of the Soviet Union stands as a warning to us, should we decide to forget God. Many other nations include God in their patriotism. Our national anthem submits it to God. I can think of nothing better, when the opposite approach, excising God, has yielded such glaringly unsatisfactory results. And when the majority of Jamaicans believe in God and the power of prayer, and our proof remains the testimonies of those who suffer and know that God is real, our anthem prayer is patriotic because it rallies us around what is common to us.

The existence of a vocal minority does not detract from the unifying effect of this belief. Prayer works. Those of us who pray are grateful that the hurricanes that were near Jamaica this summer did not hit us – even if Nicole soaked us. We are grateful that the earthquake of December 5 was not Haiti’s January nightmare. We take note of the three Great Awakenings in America and long for our own. We continue to pray to God who answers our prayers.

Mr Dingwall might want to discuss God’s existence with an apologist. But I would ask Mr Dingwall to be careful because he certainly cannot prove that God is not. We take our anthem prayer too lightly. God is faithful to His promises. What He promises are consequences, good and bad, based on our actions. The phrase “we reap what we sow” means that those consequences depend on our actions, not words alone. He is not Santa Claus – leaving a gift if you are nice, and nothing if you are naughty. He is Judge, and this country is under judgement for its collective sins. While we pray a covenant with God and our hands do the contrary, understand that prayer works. Where nations sell people into slavery, where powerful people oppress and deprive poor people of their wages, where people dishonour fathers and mothers, the Bible says that God will not hesitate to deliver the consequences of those actions to the doers. By praying the anthem we have made an agreement with God. We say “Keep us free from evil powers” and He will, even if He must block the way with thorns.

I think Mr Dingwall has misunderstood prayer. Prayer is not just begging, though begging is involved. It is not just seeking a daily fish; it is daily being taught how to fish. When we pray we are expected to obey what God says we are then to do. Prayer must be made with the expectation of doing what God says. Our anthem is a true prayer. It asks for knowledge and ability rather than end results. We are blessed with talent and resources beyond those of many countries our size.

We should continue to pray and acknowledge God as the source of our blessing.

Renee Morgan

Kingston

renworks88@yahoo.com