MAKING it out of a turbulent 2025 with soaring highs and catastrophic lows, many Jamaicans have entered 2026 with their prayers anchored in a shared longing for a healed nation that prioritises growth and prosperity.

With eyes firmly shut, arms raised in the air, and voices projected to belt out Christian hymns, people from varied walks of life gathered at the annual ‘Heal the Family, Heal the Nation’ National Day of Prayer service on Wednesday to surrender their worries and call for the renewal of the country.

The service hosted at Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, St Catherine, included prayers for recovery, continued reduction in crime, peace, unity and blessings for Jamaica.

“We have to look upon the evil that we have done in the world and in Jamaica specifically, because if you check it out, all natural disasters and God’s disasters don’t take as much life like what we did. How many people did the natural disaster kill [last] year in comparison to what man did?” said Carlton Beckford, an attendee at the service.

He told the Jamaica Observer that his main prayer for the new year is vested in the reduction of Jamaica’s crime rate.

Beckford pointed out that Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which hit Jamaica on October 28, 2025, claimed 45 lives, while criminals killed more than 600.

While Beckford acknowledged that the country has made significant progress in the reduction of the murder rate, he argued that more needs to be done.

“Therefore, God is still merciful unto us. He is patient, He is sovereign, and He has given us time to turn and to repent. Not because He passed us [in the south-eastern side of Jamaica] and went to the west side of the country means that we are better than them, but God is speaking. So, whenever I go to my bed at night, I put the nation before me,” added Beckford.

Deacon Gentles, who was standing close to Beckford, chimed in with a call for more focus to be placed on crime reduction, especially as it involves juveniles and young adults.

“My prayer is for the young people who choose the gun or criminality to make a living. That is a no-no, as far as I’m concerned. There are many other opportunities out there that they can pursue. Life never easy for anybody but if they tried to ask the Lord to intervene then they will succeed eventually. Most of us here are from really humble beginnings but because of the love and the mercy of God that’s why we are here now,” said Gentles.

He also expressed hope that as Jamaica takes on the rebuilding after Melissa, the nation’s political leaders will not be led by politics but by a concern for the people.

“I’m asking the Government and the Opposition to meet and not play politics with the people who were devastated. They must join hands together in unity and help the people, especially those who don’t have a roof over their heads and for the children,” added Gentles.

The punishing Hurricane Melissa came at a time when Jamaica was recording significant macro-economic gains including a historically low unemployment rate that stood at 3.3 per cent and an economy which grew by 4.6 per cent during the July-September 2025 quarter, according to the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

After the hurricane’s punishing blow, the agency reported that the economy was expected to contract within the range of 11 to 13 per cent during the October to December 2025 quarter, with the outturn for fiscal year 2025-2026 to reflect a decrease in economic activity within the range of three to six per cent.

It was with these hurdles in mind that Minister of Sport, Gender, Culture, and Entertainment Olivia Grange told the Observer that her main prayer was to be spared from another intense weather system and for Jamaica to rebound and continue on its path of growth.

“For 2026, I pray that Jamaica will continue to grow from strength to strength and that we will be spared another Melissa. As an Administration under the leadership of Dr Andrew Holness the country has seen tremendous growth; crime reduction, infrastructure and housing development.

“But though we’ve seen growth we have also experienced a number of challenges; COVID-19 [Hurricane] Beryl [2024], Hurricane Melissa, and so our growth would be that much more impactful if we did not experience these setbacks. But we are a resilient people and I know that we will build back even stronger together,” said Grange.

Speaking to the event theme, ‘Heal the Family, Heal the Nation’, Sarnia Wellington told the Observer that her prayer focused on forgiveness being present in homes as she referenced the biblical story of Joseph who was betrayed by his brothers but ended up forgiving them.

“I’m praying for the family to be rebuilt through forgiveness. We can do that if we just learn to let go of hurt. God is good, so we’re just coming back to the foundation to pray for direction, regrowth, and reuniting our families,” she said.

In his address to the congregation on Wednesday, chairman of the Umbrella Group of Churches Apostle Dr Michael Smith voiced a prayer which prompted several congregants to chant along. Smith’s call was a plea for the revival of the nation.

“Lord, you say that whenever we pray, when we believe in God, we receive it, and we shall have it. So, God, we believe in revival. We believe that this year will be like no other year for the nation Jamaica,” declared Smith.

Congregants enjoying the praise and worship session at the annual ‘Heal the Family, Heal the Nation’ National Day of Prayer service on Wednesday at Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, St Catherine.