Sir James Carlisle Calls for Continued Faith and Support for Youth

By Sir James Carlisle GCMG- Governor-General Emeritus

September 12, 2024 will go down in history as a day when many prayers were offered for God to intervene in our nation’s affairs.  The Day of Prayer was in response to the worrying increase in crime especially among young men.

 As a follow-up, the Honourable Gaston Browne met with gang leaders and participated in a football match with them.  In doing so he showed that he was willing to meet the young men where they are at.

 Many of these youngsters have re-entered the education system.  I have no doubt that they will succeed if they are given the necessary support and encouragement.  Teachers, parents and members of the wider society must work together.

 The Police have stepped up their activities.  Several guns have been confiscated and a number of arrests made.  Despite what has been done,  crime has continued to rise.  It is an indication that there is still more work to be done.

I believe that church leaders of every denomination can play an even bigger role in helping to resolve this problem.  The re-introduction of prayers in schools is a good start but every effort should be made to encourage our young people to attend church.   Research has shown that church attendance is associated with greater life satisfaction, among other things.  

 There are those who will say that when we acquire education, God should be taken out of the picture.  They prefer to listen to the advice of atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens.  But I would like to remind them that Francis Collins who led the Human Genome Project is a firm believer in God.  He is a more eminent scientist than Dawkins or Hitchens.

 As we celebrate the 43rd Anniversary of independence, let us remind ourselves of the admonition given by the Apostle Paul given in 1Thessalonians 5:17.  “Pray without ceasing.”  Our nation needs prayer all the time.

Sir James Carlisle GCMG- Governor-General Emeritus

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