The single beautiful blossom greeted me at the Jamaica School for the Deaf. She was unlike any flower I had seen, basking in the sunlight. Her bloom was humbly peeking down, as if to say “we are honored to have you in our home.”
Today, my prayer for Jamaica is a simple one. I am reciting the words of their national anthem. The prayer is for the people and land that has embraced me. And the prayer is for the land I live in. The words resonate for both. Our countries need to be landscaped with truth, with hope, with mercy and grace. Our hearts need to be flowered with compassion for the weak and discarded and humble passion for joy-filled justice. “Give us vision, lest we perish…”
Will you join me?
Eternal Father bless our land
Guard us with Thy mighty hand
Keep us free from evil powers
Be our light through countless hours
To our leaders, Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above
Justice, truth be ours forever
Jamaica, land we love
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love.
Teach us true respect for all
Stir response to duty’s call
Strengthen us the weak to cherish
Give us vision lest we perish
Knowledge send us, Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above
Justice, truth be ours forever
Jamaica, land we love
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love
