The Editor, Sir:

The Reverend Dr. Roy Notice of the New Testament Church of God deserves much commendation for delivering a prophetic and inspirational message at the recently held 27th National Leadership Prayer Breakfast. Dr. Notice spoke to the heart of Jamaica's problem - the failure to acknowledge God in our affairs, poor family life, hypocrisy among political, religious and civic leaders and the rampant corruption and skulduggery that permeate the society. The preacher called for an 'Operation Exposure' to shine light on evil throughout the society and suggested that Crime Stop and Operation King Fish numbers should be prominently displayed on notice boards throughout the country.

Rev. Notice has joined the list of distinguished church leaders who have used the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast to make important suggestions and recommendations to the nation's leaders. In 1997 Sam Vassell made a passionate plea for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission; in 2005 Rennard White asked the Government to implement performance-based compensation for parliamentarians and cabinet ministers; in 2006 Stevenson Samuels suggested that pastors and religious leaders be appointed as advisers on public and private boards for spiritual guidance.

Spiritual directors

He also proposed the employ-ment of spiritual directors to serve as executive coaches to assist staff at the workplace; and last year Karl Johnson urged political leaders to consider putting a ban on election mass campaigns and the bussing of unruly supporters to political rallies.

Johnson urged, "We may need to consider suggesting to the political parties that mass meetings attended by busloads of scores of people, too many of them unemployed, hanging loosely from speeding vehicles, with no regard for the law or other road users ... we may have to suggest that we reconsider that electioneering tool for the upcoming election". This call, like most others emanating from the prayer breakfast, was flatly ignored.

The National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Commission must steer the prayer breakfast away from resembling a prayer and preaching gala. The prayer breakfast can become a more meaningful event in the life of the nation if we strive to make it more relevant and practical and pay greater attention to the implementation of the meaningful recommendations that emanate from the event each year. Practice should accompany prayer and preaching. Let us begin by implementing Rev. Notice's call for an 'operation exposure' and the Governor General's call for a civic manifesto.

I am, etc.,

ORVILLE PLUMMER

oaplummer@yahoo.com

Via Go-Jamaica