Give Us Vision, Lest We Perish.

In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.” James 1:21MSG

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