Church members march down King Street in Kingston after worship at the National Heroes Park on Emancipation Day under the banner 'Emancipate Jamaica'. - Norman Grindley /Deputy Chief Photographer

Perpetual prayers for a reduction in the murder rate has largely hindered many churches from lifting up the Jamaican Olympic team to the Lord just days ahead of the games in Beijing, China.

Reverend Fitzroy Thomas, president of the Jamaica Evangelistic Mission, told The Gleaner that his group of 28 churches "really have been focusing on a number of national issues".

"Honestly, we have not been doing that at this point. The truth is our focus has been on crime and violence, family life issues, the leaders of our country and the salvation of souls," he explained.

However, the man of the cloth was quick to point out that praying for the team was warranted. He promised to begin the intercessions with despatch.

Thomas added that he has personally offered up an occasional word of prayer for 100m world-record holder Usain Bolt and former 100m world-recorder holder Asafa Powell.

Worthy

However, he said praying for the team's success at the Beijing Olympics is certainly worthy to be added to the prayer list.

Prophet Mark McLean, head of the Ecclesiastical Ministries International, said his ministry would begin to pray for the team now that the matter has been brought to his attention.

"We pray for our country corporately, but we have not been praying specifically for them," he told The Gleaner.

Meanwhile, Bishop Everton Thomas, head of the Emmanuel Apostolic Church that has 40 local chapters and four overseas branches, said mention was made about it at their recent convention, but no consistent petition had been made on behalf of the team.

"We have been sending out prayerful thoughts but nothing consistent. However, we plan to step it up this weekend," he pledged.

While some optimists are hoping that a successful campaign at the Olympics in China would stir patriotic fervour and result in a reduction in crime, Bishop Thomas did see not that vision.

"One would hope so, but I am not sure it would have that effect." He argued that a heightened sense of patriotism would arouse the conscience of the average person. However, he contended that the murders are not being committed by "normal people".

"They cannot be because of how they treat with human life," the bishop said.